From time to time, we get questions about whether or not the StableFeed forage and supplement producs can be fed to pregnant or lactating mares, or used as a creep feed for foals. The simple answer is, “Yes”, they can. As a forage first company we believe these products are not only appropriate, but they're good for them!
When you enter the horse section of any equine supply store, you'll encounter a variety of feeds, forages, and supplement options tailored for each stage of a horse's life. While it's true that some horses may require additional fat or protein, vitamins, minerals, and "other" a fundamental guideline to remember is that all horses flourish when the base you build upon primarily consists of forage.This choice benefits every horse, but will also contribute to the health and well-being of a developing foal.
To promote optimal health in horses, we believe owners should focus on a diet of real, minimally processed whole foods that meet nutritional targets for optimal health rather than ultraprocessed options.(1) This is especially important when feeding a pregnant mare. Not only do you need to consider her needs, but you also need to consider the nutrition necessary for the development of the foal. The goal is for your mare to come out of pregnancy looking just as good as when she started, plus having a healthy foal.
Processed feeds, while convenient, often contain poor quality proteins, additives, preservatives, chemical residues, and high levels of sugar or starch, which is not ideal for any horse’s digestive system, let alone a mare that is pregnant. Fortifications with individual nutrients, usually in synthetic form, do not provide horses with the micronutrients and phytonutrients their bodies need, which can result in deficiencies. Your mare needs to have the proper nutrition to support her own body's needs as well as proper fetal development. Vitamin A (or beta carotene) is the perfect example. Beta carotene is converted to Vitamin A in the horse's body and is a much safer form of Vitamin A than a synthetic. Your mare uses Vitamin A for maintaining healthy vision, bone density, and most importantly, reproduction and fetal development. The mare will also provide the foal with Vitamin A through the milk and colostrum. If your mare is not getting the optimal amount of natural beta carotene, it can lead to a lot of issues down the road.
The mare below (left) did not receive adequate forage, dental care or routine farrier work, before, during or after her pregnancy, which proved to be detrimental to her health. As a horse owner it is your responsibility to provide the basics: good quality hay in adequate amounts, adequate vitamins, minerals and fats to help her maintain her weight as the foal grows, basic veterinary exams, farrier visits every 4-6 weeks (depending on the horse), and an annual dental exam to check for serious problems like EROTH, hooks, and other problems that may make it difficult for her to chew feeds, forages and supplements. This same horse is pictured on the right, with a foal at the same age. What a difference the basics make! 
Real foods, like grasses, hay, and minimally beneficial weed species your horse might find in a paddock or pasture, provide essential macro and micronutrients to support overall well-being. Wheat grass, for instance, is an extraordinarily nutrient rich plant. This powerhouse food provides Vitamin A (beta carotene) and an abundance of micronutrients to support postbiotic production of other compounds necessary for overall health. It plays a big important role in many StableFeed products.
Microorganisms associated with physical contact with the mare and through her milk start the foal’s journey to microbial richness, diversity, and abundance. Setting the mare up for optimal systemic health confers benefits to the foal that may impact their health for the rest of their lives. At StableFeed, we recommend a one month course of Immubiome G-Tract in the last two months of the mare's pregnancy, in conjunction with a 5-month addition of FOS/MOS, fed to the mare two months before delivery, and continued for 90 days postpartum. Research shows that the addition of Oligosaccharides in the diet of the mare has a beneficial effect on the microbiome of the foal, helping to set them up with a strong immune system during the critical first stage of life. Mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) have been shown to increase the colostrum levels of the immunoglobulins (Ig) IgA and IgG in mares(2). Low doses of FOS supplementation have been shown to have a stabilizing effect on the equine microbiota during sudden dietary changes, and supported proper glucose metabolism in insulin-resistant horses.
Another crucial factor to keep in mind is the amount of water your mare consumes, particularly during the later stages of her pregnancy and the first month after foaling. On average, mares produce about 5.5 gallons of milk daily for their foal. If your mare isn't receiving adequate nutrition and hydration, it could significantly impact both the quantity and quality of her milk. Sainfoin forage possesses an astringent quality that encourages horses to drink more water. Our beta test indicated that horses increased their water intake by 110% when sainfoin is included in their diet.
Now let’s talk about the cute, fuzzy baby. If you've ever had a mare and foal you know that the foals are instantly curious about what's in their mother's bucket. We've had individuals mention needing to increase their mare's feeding rate to prevent the foal from gobbling up all the food or even separating them during feeding. Our sainfoin forage or supplement products are ideal for foals. They contain no harmful chemicals, additives or synthetics so the microbiome is not adversely impacted in the early stages of life.
Everyone wants a healthy mare and foal. Optimal health of the mare needs to start before conception. While processed feeds may offer convenience, whole foods supplemented with prebiotics provide a more holistic approach to equine health. Our Seasons Biome Supplement can add a layer of support to a good diet, ensuring that pregnant mares and their babies receive the diversitythey need to thrive.
“Shout out to StableFeed. I’m so impressed with how well Ginger is looking after delivering a strong and healthy foal, thanks to #Seasonsbiomeblend. Good nutrition is vital for proper development of healthy foals. Stablefeed is so dedicated to the health of my horses and I’m so thankful for them. Ginger is absolutely beaming with dapples and shine.”
~ Elisa Wallace, 5 Star Three-Day Eventer & Mustang Trainer
From the desk of Mary Hartman, CEO & Founder
