When your mare is in foal, your main focus becomes her and the developing foal's nutrition to support optimal health during gestation, lactation, and the first several months of the foal's life. Improper nutrition during these key phases of development can have repercussions for the mare and foal for the rest of their lives.

The Lactating Mare

Understanding proper nutrition for the pregnant mare during gestation is critical to producing a healthy foal because healthy development of your foal begins in the mare.

"Putting the emphasis on gestational nutrition helps ensure that the foal is born with a reservoir of vitamins and minerals to meet its early needs," says Jack Grogan, certified nutritionist and chief science officer for Uckele Health & Nutrition. "This supports fetal growth and prevents the mare's body from pulling vital nutrients from her own reserves that can leave her badly depleted and nutritionally imbalanced. This also better prepares the foal for the first few weeks after foaling and is very important for the foal's delicate immune system. Nutrient deficiencies can have long lasting effects on the mare and foal, increasing chances of the foal being born weak or becoming more susceptible to structural problems and health issues. After foaling, the mare's requirements for calcium, phosphorous, iron, magnesium, and vitamin A increase the most