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  Discussion on Pregnant Mare Very Plump
Author Message
New Member:
Shawna

Posted on Tuesday, Oct 22, 2002 - 4:09 pm:

My Quarter Horse mare is 4 months pregnant and is very plump. She and my other horses are extremely easy keepers and are all on the plump side. She is out in extremely good pasture during the day and brought in to the barn each evening. I have taken her off of her grain rations and I have been working her lightly but haven't been able to slim her down at all. With winter coming, (I am in Canada) I can expect her condition to change since she will no longer be on the lush pasture and I will beable to control her intake more.

I have heard from many horse owners that a mare that is overweight can have more complications than a mare in top shape. However on the other hand, I have read that it is better for broodmares to be on the plump side instead during pregnancy.

I am new to the breeding world. I have bred her to a nice AQHA Champion and I am looking forward to a healthy baby and want to do all I can to ensure that.

Should I be trying to get her slimmed down at this stage or hope that her extra body fat will help her during her pregnancy.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Oct 26, 2002 - 5:34 pm:

Hello Shawna,
WHile it has been long thought that overweight mares may have more problems, there is no empirical proof of this. However without seeing her I cannot make much recommendation. Check out the condition scale at » Care for Horses » Disease Prevention and Health Care » Weight, Condition, and Eventual Height Estimation and do not allow her to get more than a 7.
DrO
Member:
Shawna

Posted on Wednesday, Nov 6, 2002 - 3:41 pm:

Thanks DrO for your reply. I would say my mare would be between a 7 and 8, leaning more towards the 8 as her ribs are very hard to feel. She is the stocky Quarter horse type with Impressive bloodlines so she is also very muscular. She is 15 hands and according to the weight tape, she weighs close to 1250 pounds. My vet says she is on the chunky side, however doesn't seem to be worried and hasn't been adement about slimming her down. I am hoping she sheds some of her extra pounds over the winter. I will be putting her back on her grain (TDI-10)rations in the next couple of weeks since the pasture is coming to an end.
I would like to get her in better shape. I am a little worried as she had problems foaling a couple of years ago and the extra weight is definately not beneficial. Since I didn't own her then, I don't know the details. It was her first foal at 4 years old. She did deliver a healthy baby after some assistance from her owner and vet. This will be her second foal.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 7, 2002 - 6:51 am:

The trick to keeping her from getting fatter is to provide adequate protein and vitamins while limiting calories. This is easier with high protein feeds and a vitamin supplement. DrO
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