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Member
Posts: 39
| What are you guys feeding the broodmares throughout the winter? Any supplements? I am located in Canada so much colder here then some places and this is my first winter with a bred mare so just want to make sure they are happy in the cold. Thanks for any input. |
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| Plenty of whole oats and alfalfa with good hay 24/7 .... gives a balanced ration of 5-1 of calcium to phosphorous and adds needed potassium for good health.
Only supplement i give for big healthy robust babies and healthy mares ... is a handful of ADM GROSTRONG MINERALS every other day in their feed ... you may know it by the MOORMAN brand of feeds and minerals ... 25 lb bag ~$40 USD ...
Good worming program on mare and give her zimectrin 2 weeks prior to foaling date ... foals sample their mothers poop to get their good gut bacteria started and this prevents new baby from getting a gut full of worm eggs ...
Keep foal on mare for 6 months ... 5-6th months are for Mom to teach him manners and how to socialize with other horss .... NO ANNUAL TYPE SHOTS until 6 months old ... mares colostrum prevents shots from having any affect ..so shootem up when you wean'um ... lol
GOOD LUCK ...
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2015-10-15 5:18 AM
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
 
Location: Oklahoma | My broodmares are on free choice bermuda round bales. They also get alfalfa pellets with Adeptus Augment (vitamin/organic trace minerals) supplement. If I feel they need more, I will give them oats. |
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Member
Posts: 39
| Is it okay to feed soaked beet pulp to them? |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | I think the very best thing to keep a broomare warm and in good health and weight is alfalfa hay or cubes. Hay in general is the best for comfort and warmth. Of the hays, alfalfa is easily the most nutritious and generates the most heat. I know we are in Texas, but I think feeding is still the same and I know a few Canadian broodmare operations and how they feed. We have our broodmares on pasture with round bales of extremely good grass hay and supplement with alfalfa cubes. Personally, I do not believe in concentrates for broodmares, though there are a lot labeled for them. Its not that they are bad, I just don't think they need them and it is too costly. I have thought a lot the past couple months about mineral supplementation and have concluded that I will continue to put out a mineral for my broodmares. For the above feeding program, I am using sweetpro 16 tubs.
Of course you have a lot of options and its a personal preference on what you like. If they have a hard time keeping weight, especially when lactating, you could use just about anything, but I would recommend oats, flax, rice bran or something simple to that effect of your choice.
One other thing is I think it is ok for mares to be drawn down a little when nursing. As long as they are in decent shape. No need to just pour it to them just because. It is quite normal for them to decline and get a little ribby, in my opinion.
Edited by Tdove 2015-10-15 12:38 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 851
Location: West Texas | From time to time, it can get fairly cold here. The big thing is ours aren't acclimated to it, when it blows in. So, it is pretty hard on them sometimes.
Edited by Tdove 2015-10-15 11:34 AM
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 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | My broodmares get oats and alfalfa along with a loose mineral called Mineral 201 (by Animal element) they also have round bales 24/7 of bermuda. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 639
Location: God's country...aka TEXAS | Renew Gold, alfalfa and free choice grass hay. |
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Expert
Posts: 2685
| With A Rebel Yell - 2015-10-15 3:56 AM
What are you guys feeding the broodmares throughout the winter? Any supplements? I am located in Canada so much colder here then some places and this is my first winter with a bred mare so just want to make sure they are happy in the cold. Thanks for any input.
I made a custom feed this year for them that I have ended up giving it to all of my horses. I have reeaaallly like it. The broodmares are getting 3# a day right now and my riding horses are getting 5# a day.
Its a 14-7 with added vits, mins and lysine. |
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