Hey!

I have a pregnant mare that is about 3 weeks along. She is a very easy keeper and is, shall I say fat! I am pulling her off pasture so as to minimize her feed intake. When she is more settled in her pregnancy I will start a light exercise routine. Because she lost her last foal at about 6-7 months last year I am a little gun-shy about working her too hard right now. Any suggestions to help her drop weight, other than the usual diet and exercise? i.e. supplements??
I am feeding her (don't have actual weights for you) a good heavy flake alfalfa/grass mix twice a day with a couple cups low-carb type grain with her vitamins in the evening.

Thanks!
Kim

Where are you from? Oregon

How did you locate this forum? search engine

Hi Kim,

Thanks for writing about your mare. The best advice I can give you is to let her self-regulate her intake and give her grass hay at all times. Alfalfa is good, too, in moderation.

Pasture may be high in sugar, and therefore, it may be advisable to take her off of it to avoid laminitis. However, have your hay analyzed for its sugar and starch content so you know what she's getting.

Feeding her at intervals, like we do ourselves, goes against a horse's natural way of eating. They are trickle feeders and need to chew constantly to keep the digestive system healthy.

And, reducing her forage intake actually makes her gain weight since her metabolic rate decreases. Also, it is stressful, causing her cortisol levels to rise and hence, making her insulin resistant (which causes fat storage).

So, hay 24/7 is a good idea. And, as far as supplements go, I would add magnesium and chromium to her diet. Quiessence would be beneficial in her case.

I hope this is helpful.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO

Thanks!

Where are you from? Oregon

How did you locate this forum? search engine