Another important dietary component is omega-3 fatty acids for horses, which have been closely linked with the reproductive efficiency of mares. It is also known that oxidative damage, caused by naturally occurring particles called free radicals, can have a detrimental effect on egg quality. It is the role of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals in the body, making these compounds extremely important for ensuring good fertility.

Dried forage is naturally low in essential amino acids. This puts breeding mares in the Middle East at risk of not consuming optimal levels of essential compounds that support their fertility. Including equine supplements for mares provides reassurance that the reproductive health of breeding mares isn’t being left to chance, which is particularly important for those with a history of fertility problems or older mares, as fertility naturally declines with age.

Gestation

The nutritional requirements of pregnancy grow as the foetus does. Everything that the foetus requires must come from the mare, and she must also consume enough to meet her own needs as her body changes. Although her baby’s growth is slow early in pregnancy, it is important to ensure the mare’s reserves of essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, are maximized in preparation for the more rapid growth in the third trimester.  It is worth considering a vitamin and mineral supplement for mares such as our V.S.L. that includes calcium and phosphorus if not. This is particularly important in older mares, who are naturally less efficient at absorbing calcium.

In addition to supporting growth and development while still in the womb, the nutritional status of the mare affects the young horse after birth too. Young horses have developed the clever nutritional strategy of storing trace minerals, such as copper, zinc, and manganese, in their liver before birth. This is because mare’s milk is quite low in these elements. Without proper stores of trace minerals, the young horse may be predisposed to bone development disorders, and any shortfalls at this stage cannot be made up by supplementing the animal after birth.

If her nutritional needs are not adequately met, a broodmare will experience loss of condition and mineral store depletion, with potentially devastating effects on her physical health and future reproductive performance. Of particular note is an increased requirement for calcium and phosphorus to replace losses from the fetus’ high requirements during pregnancy.
Her needs aren’t the only ones that must be considered though. The young horse remains reliant on the mare’s milk to meet its nutritional requirements until weaning, so everything the baby needs for healthy growth and development – i.e. high-quality milk, rich in protein and fat, in sufficient quantity – comes from what the mare is fed.

Unlike other calcium supplements for horses, Cal-Gro not only contains calcium and phosphorus for horses in the ideal ratio of 2:1 but also includes the essential amino acid lysine, chelated copper, zinc, and silica for horses – all of which help optimize the nutritional content of milk.

Omega-3 fatty acids, which predominate in mare’s milk, cannot be produced by the body and are very low in hay and grains. It has been shown that adding fats to the diet of lactating mares can improve the fat content of their milk, so supplementation can be a great way to maximize the chances of quality milk production. Kentucky Karron Oil, our horse oil/omega-3 equine supplement is an excellent addition to a mare’s diet to support milk production by supplying superior quality essential omega-3 fatty acids in a highly bioavailable format.