Turn them out to pasture is often considered the simple solution for preventing the return of equine gastric ulcers syndrome (EGUS) but for many, pasture just simply is not an option. This is particularly true when dealing with stallions. Few owners are prepared to take the risks associated with having stallions in turn out. This leaves many stallions in box stalls being managed in ways that increase their risk of developing EGUS. So what is it about this environment and management style that increases your stallion’s (or any horse’s for that matter) risk of developing EGUS? To answer that question requires some knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the equine stomach.

Forage should be the foundation of every horse’s ration. For most horses in the winter months this means hay and in certain locations where pasture is not practical in the summer hay has traditionally been the year long source of forage. However with some parts of the country reporting that only half the normal amount of hay was harvested and put up this year many owners are experiencing hay shortages and or high prices. This can be a particular challenge for breeders as broodmares and growing youngstock require high quality forage. Here are some ways that you can make the most of your hay budget and stretch what hay you do have in the barn this winter.

So you just received the results of the 14 day ultra sound and your mare is in foal; congratulations, you have successfully negotiated the first hurdle. Now for the long wait. In the meantime there is a lot to be done to help insure a healthy foal including feeding the mare correctly. But what exactly are a pregnant mares nutrient requirements? Pregnant mares must consume enough nutrients to both maintain their own body weight throughout the pregnancy and also to create new tissues; those of the fetus and those that support the pregnancy such as the placenta. Due to the very small amount of tissue deposition in the first months of pregnancy, providing the mare is in good weight and not working or lactating, she can be fed as a horse at maintenance for the first 4 months. However, due to the development of the tissues supporting the pregnancy, starting in month 5 her nutrient requirements change.

In previous newsletters we have included articles on several nutrition topics related to horse breeding written by the independent consultant, Clair Thunes of Summit Equine Nutrition. This month we took the opportunity to interview and introduce you to Clair and to discuss how working with a nutritional consultant can benefit your breeding program. Her clients cite many favorable reasons for incorporating a nutritional program on their farm, from the mares being in better condition on less feed to the foals looking better at weaning and therefore commanding higher prices when sold. But perhaps the biggest advantage is the peace of mind people report, knowing that they are feeding the right products and giving their foals the best start possible. Being able to tell prospective buyers that the farm works with a nutritionist and that the foals have a good nutritional foundation is also a great selling point.

You have finally made your decision and the booking with Mr Right is made. In a few short months your mare will be bred to the stud of your dreams and all that is left now is to wait out the cold winter months and for spring to roll around. There is always that niggly question though, will she cycle and will she take? If there was just some way you could help the odds. Well you are in luck because there is. You can make sure that she is carrying an ideal amount of condition.

How you feed your foal once weaned depends a lot on breed and your future goals. Is your weanling destined for the sales or show ring, expected to race as a 2 year old, or will he be maturing slowly at home until going under saddle as a 4 year old? Is he a breed typically considered to be an easy keeper and at risk of getting fat or a higher calorie burning thoroughbred? No matter the breed or ultimate goal, two things are sure; growth needs to be steady and the diet needs to be made up of balanced, high quality, easily assimilated nutrients.

Heading into summer many of you will be contemplating the process of weaning your foals. Typically foals are weaned between 4-6 months of age and the process used is often dictated by the facilities available. Careful planning will reduce stress and set your foal up for success. Obviously the biggest change for your foal will be the loss of contact with its mother followed by the change in diet. At birth the foal’s sole source of nutrition is provided by the mare’s milk which at its peak can amount to 3% of her body weight per day. Over time the foal’s digestive tract matures. Bacteria are picked up from the environment and populate the hindgut. This provides the foal with the ability to start digesting more complex feeds such as pasture, quality hay or some other supplemental feed.

Stallions are the Hollywood stars of the breeding world. Their presence is hard to ignore. Yet behind the glamour persona, there is a job to be done. Combined with the costs of promoting a stallion, the pressure on stallion owners and managers to insure their charges are at the top of their game and able to perform on demand when brought to the breeding shed, becomes evident. The stallion himself is not exempt from feeling this stress. The life of a breeding stallion with a full book can be hard work, and may take its toll on an ill prepared stud. Nutrition plays a key role in insuring that your stallion has the best chance of a successful breeding season.