British Breeder Magazine November 2019

Feature - ARTICLE
These, or a specially formulated sales
or show prep mix for youngsters, are
preferable to a conditioning feed
designed for adult horses, as this would
not have sufficient supporting nutrients
(vitamins and minerals, in particular)
for a growing youngster. Keeping a
regular eye on your filly’s bodyweight,
as suggested, will help you decide
which feed to choose and how much to
feed.
My Welsh Cob mare is in foal with
a foal at foot who is about to be
weaned. The mare is currently
eating a stud mix and will be
wintering out but I’m not sure
what I should feed her once the
foal is weaned.
It is important that the development
of your mare’s unborn foal is supported
with correct nutrition right from
conception. As she is currently
getting a specially formulated stud
ration, this should be supplying the
necessary nutrients both for lactation
and the foetus but, once her foal at
foot is weaned, her requirements
will obviously be quite different. If
producing milk for her foal has led to
her dropping condition, you will need
to keep her on recommended levels
of the stud mix until she has gained
weight and replaced the body reserves
drawn on by this year’s foal.
On the other hand, if she has held
her condition well, you will need to
reduce the calorie content of her diet
after weaning, which will also help her
milk supply to dry up. It is vital for the
growing foetus though, that your mare
continues to receive vitamins, minerals
and quality protein to support its
development as well as to help her lay
down body reserves which are drawn
on once the foal is born and she is
lactating again. For good-doers, who
receive sufficient calories to maintain
condition from forage alone, specially
formulated stud balancers are ideal
throughout pregnancy as they supply
these essential nutrients at the
required levels without the associated
calorie content found in a traditional
stud mix or cube.
For advice feeding your breeding or
youngstock, contact Baileys Horse
Feeds:
www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk
+44 (0)1371 850247
+44 (0)7885 065531
Stud Services at Oakham Veterinary Hospital
New, purpose built stud barn with lab, semen collection
area, mare scanning facilities and large foaling/mare
and foal stables
Competitive pricing structure to minimise ‘per cycle’ costs
On site foaling facilities with 24 hour supervision provided
by an experienced and highly trained team specialising
in care of the new born foal
Embryo transfer and transported embryo service
BEVA approved practice for AI with fresh, chilled and
frozen semen
DEFRA approved semen collection and distribution
centre for walk in stallions
Close working relationships with agents representing
Europe’s leading dressage, showjumping and eventing
stallions
On site semen freezing service available year round
For more information please contact Matt Hecking, Stud Manager on:
01572 722647 or 07976 822903
matthew.hecking@oakhamvethospital.co.uk
BRITISH BREEDER| 53