59. Feeding Pregnant Mares & Why Balanced Nutrition Matters From Day One

How much does broodmare nutrition really matter?In this episode, Dr Nerida is joined again by Jess, an equine science student from Charles Sturt University, for a practical Q&A on feeding pregnant (and lactating) broodmares.They unpack the idea of “feeding for two”, and why pregnant mares do not need large amounts of extra energy and protein from day one, but absolutely do need a balanced diet from the very beginning.Nerida explains how nutrients such as copper, iodine, calcium, phosphorus, protein and lysine can influence foal development, joint health, milk production and mare condition. The discussion also explores lactation, foal growth rates, the importance of the mare’s microbiome, and why nutrition during pregnancy may have long-term effects on the foal’s health and future performance.A must-listen episode for breeders, stud staff and horse owners wanting to give mares and foals the best possible start.📲 Download MyHappy.Horse to help you keep broodmare diets balanced: https://apps.apple.com/app/myhappy-horse/id6633422324🦠 And if you want to look into your broodmare’s microbiome, get in touch with EquiGI - https://www.equigi.com