A breeding mare’s ration should not stay the same from covering through weaning. This breeding mare feeding example shows how a forage-first plan can be adjusted as her nutritional demands, body condition, workload, and pasture access change. The goal is not to feed more simply because a mare is in foal. It is to supply the right nutrients at the right time, without creating unnecessary condition or relying on large concentrate meals.
Start With the Mare, Not the Feed Scoop
Before calculating a ration, assess the mare in front of you. Her current body condition, estimated mature weight, age, teeth, forage quality, grazing time, activity, and reproductive stage all affect what she needs. A good breeding mare should generally maintain moderate condition, rather than becoming thin or carrying excessive fat.
Forage remains the foundation. Many mares should receive at least 1.5% to 2% of body weight per day as dry matter from forage, with the exact amount adjusted for hay moisture, pasture intake, appetite, and body condition. For a 1,200-pound mare, this commonly means around 18 to 24 pounds of forage dry matter daily. Because hay is not completely dry, the weighed amount offered may be higher.
Whenever possible, have hay or haylage analyzed. Visual appearance alone cannot show energy, protein, mineral, or trace-element levels accurately enough to balance a breeding ration. A forage analysis turns feeding from guesswork into a practical calculation.
Breeding Mare Feeding Example: A 1,200-Pound Mare
The following example is a framework, not a universal recipe. It assumes a healthy 1,200-pound mature mare, moderate body condition, average-quality grass hay, limited pasture, and no heavy ridden work. Amounts should be reviewed when forage changes or the mare gains or loses condition.
Before Breeding and Early Pregnancy
During the first months of pregnancy, nutrient needs are often close to those of a mature mare at maintenance. This is the stage when overfeeding can be especially easy. If the mare holds condition on good forage, adding substantial amounts of grain may only increase unwanted weight gain.
A practical daily ration could include free-choice or carefully portioned grass hay, ideally supplied across the day and night, alongside a low-intake vitamin and mineral balancer designed to complement the forage base. The balancer should provide minerals and vitamins that may be limited in hay, without adding unnecessary calories.
If pasture is plentiful, hay intake may fall, but pasture should still be assessed realistically. Grass quality can shift rapidly with season, weather, and grazing pressure. A mare that looks well covered in spring may need a different plan later in the year when grass growth slows.
Mid-Pregnancy
Through much of mid-pregnancy, the same forage-first structure can continue. The mare should be monitored monthly, not fed according to the calendar alone. Use a body-condition score, photographs from the side and rear, and a weigh tape or scale to spot gradual changes.
If the mare begins to lose condition, first check whether she is truly eating enough forage. Hay wastage, slow access in a group, poor dentition, and cold weather can all reduce actual intake. When extra energy is needed, increase forage quality or use a suitable fiber-based source before automatically turning to large cereal-based meals.
This is also a useful period to check that the ration’s mineral balance remains appropriate. The developing foal depends on a consistent maternal supply of essential nutrients, but more is not automatically better. Combining several fortified feeds and supplements can create duplication. Keep the ration simple, calculate what is already supplied, and add only what is needed.
Last Three Months of Pregnancy
The final trimester is when fetal growth accelerates and the mare’s ration often needs more attention. At the same time, the growing foal leaves less room in the abdomen, so some mares may find very bulky meals uncomfortable. This does not mean forage should be reduced. It means forage access, quality, and the total ration should be managed thoughtfully.
For the example mare, continue offering ample forage and maintain the vitamin and mineral component. If her condition is falling despite adequate forage, introduce additional energy gradually. A highly digestible fiber feed or a carefully selected breeding concentrate may suit some mares, especially when forage quality is modest. Divide any bucket feed into small meals and make changes over at least seven to 10 days.
Protein quality also matters more than simply feeding a high crude-protein number. A ration based on poor-quality forage may need support from a feed that contributes suitable amino acids as well as energy, vitamins, and minerals. The appropriate choice depends on the forage analysis and the rest of the ration.
Feeding During Lactation
Lactation is typically the most demanding period for a breeding mare. Milk production places a higher demand on energy, protein, water, and nutrients, particularly in early lactation. A mare can lose condition quickly if her intake does not keep pace.
Forage should remain continuously available where practical, with clean water always accessible. Lactating mares may drink considerably more than they did before foaling, so water supply deserves daily attention. Salt should also be available in a suitable form, unless a nutrition professional has advised otherwise.
For the 1,200-pound example mare, grass hay alone may no longer provide enough energy and nutrients, depending on its quality and how much she can consume. A ration may therefore include forage, a balanced breeding feed or fiber-based energy source, and a correctly measured vitamin and mineral product if the main feed does not already provide adequate levels at the amount fed.
The trade-off is clear: adding feed can help maintain condition, but feeding too much concentrate at once is not a sound answer. Split meals, introduce changes slowly, and prioritize ingredients that support a forage-centered ration. Watch the mare, her appetite, manure consistency, body condition, and the amount of feed left behind.
The Details That Make the Example Work
A feeding plan succeeds through routine observation. Weigh feed with a scale instead of relying on scoops, which can vary widely between products. Reassess hay whenever a new batch arrives. Keep feed storage clean and dry, and remove spoiled forage promptly.
Avoid building a complicated supplement stack. If a mare receives a complete breeding feed at the manufacturer’s full recommended rate, adding a separate fortified balancer may not be appropriate. Conversely, if she receives only forage or a small amount of unfortified fiber feed, a targeted vitamin and mineral balancer can help close nutritional gaps.
Annette’s book, The New Feeding Philosophy, is built around this same practical principle: begin with the horse’s natural need for roughage, then correct the gaps created by modern management with a ration that is clear and purposeful. Equilin applies this approach through targeted nutrition designed to complement, rather than replace, a sound forage base.
When to Recalculate the Ration
Review the breeding mare’s plan when she moves into the final trimester, after foaling, when pasture changes, when hay changes, or whenever her body condition shifts noticeably. Also reassess if she starts work again, is managing twins under veterinary guidance, is an older mare, or has dental challenges that affect forage intake.
A written feeding record helps. Note each feed, the weight offered, the stage of pregnancy or lactation, forage batches, body-condition observations, and any changes in appetite. This makes gradual trends visible before they become major problems.
The most useful breeding mare feeding example is never a fixed menu. It is a calm, forage-led plan that is measured, reviewed, and adjusted around the mare’s real condition as she carries, foals, and raises her foal.