QUESTION: 

My mare is due to foal in a month, what do I need to consider regarding feeding now and also after foaling?

ANSWER: 

A heavily pregnant mare has a high demand for many nutrients, but it's primarily the need for protein that increases during the final months of pregnancy. Since the fetus takes up a lot of space in the stomach, it's important that the feed is nutrient-dense. Use a forage with high protein values as the mare may not be able to eat as many kilos as usual. Optionally supplement with alfalfa or other protein-rich feed. Also, review the mineral and vitamin status in the feed ration as the requirement for fetal growth and later lactation is much higher than usual. 

If your mare is in good nutritional balance before foaling, the chances of a successful foaling with a healthy foal and a mare producing plenty of milk and caring well for her foal improve. Our Biomineral Total contains all the important minerals in well-balanced quantities. If additional amounts of any specific mineral are needed, we also have Feed Chalk (calcium), Phosphorus Balance (phosphorus), BioMagnesium (magnesium), Selo-E (selenium and vitamin E), and BioZinc (zinc) that can be added to fine-tune the feed ration's balance. We also have several vitamins that can be added if the forage and other feed do not meet the requirements. During lactation, the need for nutrition, especially protein, increases even more. Use protein-rich feed, which is particularly important if foaling occurs early in the spring when pasture grass has not yet started to grow. Feel free to seek assistance in calculating the feed ration during the different phases of pregnancy and lactation. It's also important to review the place where your mare will foal. Pay attention to hygiene, and before the stall is bedded down, you can use Biofect, which is a powerful disinfectant, proven effective against several types of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold. 

Good luck with the foaling!