🐴 Nutritional Recommendations for Brood Mares Before Winter: 2025 Feeding Guide 🍂🥕

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Fall is the season for preparation—and when it comes to brood mares, nutrition heading into winter can make or break the next breeding season. In 2025, we focus on targeted feeding, body condition, and smart forage strategies to support both pregnancy and future fertility. 🧠🐎

📏 Monitor Body Condition Score (BCS)

The University of Kentucky Extension recommends tracking Body Condition Score (BCS) to guide winter feed decisions. The BCS scale runs from 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese). 🎯

🔍 Target BCS by Season:

• 🤰 Pregnant mares heading into winter: BCS of 6
• 🔁 Open or early bred mares: BCS of 5–6

Ribs should be easily felt but not seen. Too thin = risk of delayed breeding. Too fat = risk of foaling difficulty. ⚖️

🌾 When to Start Feeding Hay

As fall pasture quality declines, test for hay readiness:

• 🧪 Place hay in pasture—if mares eat it, they need it
• 🌱 Early feeding can protect pastures from overgrazing

🥕 Tip:

Keep hay consistent in type and quality throughout winter. Abrupt changes can disrupt digestion. 🧬

🍀 Hay Types for Brood Mares

✅ Recommended:

• 🍃 Alfalfa: High in protein and calcium; often sufficient alone with supplements
• 🌿 Bermuda grass: Common in southern states; may require more concentrates

🚫 Avoid:

• ⚠️ Tall fescue: May be infected with endophytes that cause late-term pregnancy problems

Fescue toxicity is especially harmful during late gestation—delayed foaling, thick placentas, and poor milk production. ❌

🥣 When to Add Concentrates

In late pregnancy (last 3 months) and after foaling, mares need increased energy for fetal growth and lactation:

• 📦 Commercial broodmare feeds balance energy, protein, and minerals
• 🥛 Lactating mares may require up to 50% more energy than dry mares

For mares holding good weight on alfalfa alone, add a vitamin and mineral supplement to complete the diet. ✅

💡 Feeding Tips for Winter Transition

• 📅 Gradually transition to hay and concentrates over 2–3 weeks
• 🧂 Ensure free-choice mineral blocks or fortified feeds
• 💧 Maintain access to unfrozen water—hydration affects digestion

📲 Ask A Vet for Broodmare Feed Plans

Not sure what your mare needs this winter? Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App to evaluate body condition, hay quality, and calorie requirements. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can build custom nutrition plans based on your region, mare status, and forage availability. 💬🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, nutrition is the cornerstone of healthy pregnancies and productive breeding seasons. Track body condition, feed the right hay, and adjust concentrates thoughtfully to set your mares up for success—even before the snow falls. ❄️🐎

Need a feeding chart for winter? Visit AskAVet.com to get started 🐴🥕