THE greatest in-utero foal growth and nutrient demand occurs during the last trimester of pregnancy. Providing the mare with high-quality forage and a feed designed for pregnant mares will provide her with the bulk of her nutritional requirements.

It is important breeders don’t neglect Vitamin E levels for broodmares in the final weeks of the last trimester. Whether your mare has access to good grass and what additional feed she is receiving will determine her nutrient requirement.

Good-quality grass is a rich source of Vitamin E, calories, and protein.

However, good grass is not too easy to come by at this time of the year and hay is not a source of Vitamin E.

Therefore, horses (regardless of reproductive status) on hay-based diets or poor pasture need supplemental Vitamin E.

Colostrum

Vitamin E passes from the mare to the foal via colostrum, which the mare makes during the last weeks of pregnancy. Mares on a hay diet will benefit from Vitamin E supplementation at this stage. Breeders can feed Vita E Plus which will ensure that broodmares receive a concentrated source of Vitamin E as well as Vitamin C, with the additional benefit of the essential amino acid to fortify young growing stock.

Minerals including calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc and manganese are essential to support the rapid rate of bone development of the in-utero foal. The prevalence of developmental orthopaedic disease (DOD), including osteochondrosis dissecans and physitis, can be high in foals.

The foundations of a horse’s skeletal health and future athletic success can be established before it is even born. Ensuring broodmares have an appropriate intake and balance of macro-minerals, trace minerals, and amino acids in the diet to pass on to the foal, both in utero and following birth via the milk, is critical.

Calphormin gives young horses the best start they can get, initially through supplementation of the mare, and latterly by feeding directly to foals and young stock.

Continuing to feed young, rapidly growing horses Calphormin helps to maintain optimum growth and bone development.