Feeding a barren broodmare

Jen Pigs Fly

So I'm on take 2 of trying to breed my mare, she lost her last foal at 3 months.

I have her on red mills stud cubes (which she didn't like, I out her onto the stud mix at 2 months and she loved it) with chelates copper supplement.

This is my last chance at breeding her, she will be 13 this year, while not old by any stretch of the imagination I just know it will get harder and harder for her to take and keep the foal as she ages if were already experiencing problems.

So I'm just wondering if anyone can give me any insight into better feeding, better supplementing. Bearing In mind she is not in work due to my own work commitments (why it would have suited me to have her foaling this year :rolleyes:)

Can anyone recommend me a good feed that may suit an older broodmare prior to breeding? I don't mind travelling or buying in bulk if it'll improve her chances at conceiving and sustaining the growing embryo.

I am hoping to cover her late march/early April so if she does have problems it's not too late to try again.

She was a broodmare before I got her, she's as healthy as they come conceived her first covering last year with twins - spilt embryo (if anyone can remember my post about it last year) she absorbed one and then the other suffered, at 3 months it was gone. Then got a specialist out who discovered she had a rotated pelvis, so I plan on getting her checked over again before she goes to the stallion, make sure her pelvis is right, her hips are good and that her reproductive system is healthy (last time we checked everything was normal)

So can anyone recommend me a good feed that will help up my chances of a success this year, and supplements? This is my last year trying as two consecutive years of a mare loosing her foal I would consider a bad sign and not to keep pushing the mare into something her body cannot cope with.

Thanks, sorry for the long post!

finbarrk

My parents always fed them rolled oats and some bran that was steeped in water Jenny anyway. There was never any of it left in the bucket!

Dark Phoenix

just a thought, you mentioned a feed brand in your post and most of the bigger feed companies like redmills and gain will have an equine nutritionalist that you can speak to by phone who will consult with you and make a recommendation on feed. it could be worth researching their websites and giving some a call.

elusiveguy

IMHO from only 2 horses but two awkward to feed horses, I rate Baileys above any feeds I've tried. Their nutritionists are brilliant and are available on the phone too.