ABSTRACT
Broodmare management is the subject of volumes of material with some articles written about the open mare, others about the pregnant mare, and still others about the lactating mare. Regardless of the stage of productivity mares must be on a proper plane of nutrition. Horsemen often tend to overfeed open or pregnant mares, but may leave the lactating mare nutritionally deprived. Many horsemen feel that a mare's nutritional requirements skyrocket from the time she becomes pregnant. Some heavier-milking mares may demand additional feed to maintain acceptable body condition. A good nutrition program cannot be overlooked when managing broodmares. Many mares are thought, to be in good condition simply because they have a large, distended abdomen; however these mares may appear very thin upon foaling. If mares are placed on an ascending plane of nutrition prior to the breeding season, they tend to move easily, cycle, and conceive.
