Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
Welcome to my forum.
Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information.
Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you.
Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought.
I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.
And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hello Rose,
First let me thank you for rescuing this lovely mare -- she is very lucky to have found you!
Give her alfalfa hay -- say 30 to 40% of her hay ration and make sure that she has hay in front of her at all times. Pasture is best, if available.
Give her salt in her meals to encourage her to drink more water -- plus she needs the salt for many reasons, including production of enough milk. Get plain, white iodized salt found in your grocery store and give her 1 tablespoon, twice each day, mixed in with her feed.
Instead of Purina Amplify -- you may want to consider giving her a supplement that is designed for pregnancy such as Mare/Foal IIP.
Finally, give her Ration Plus. This will help her gain weight by boosting the health of the bacterial flora living in her hind gut. The best diet in the world will not be beneficial if the forage cannot be adequately digested.
Happy Foaling!
Dr. Getty 
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO