special supplements for mares that you are going to breed?

[Wendy]

I was thinking about the upcoming breeding season. I will be A.I. this year to a wonderful (Thanks Cheri :D ). So, I was wondering if anyone does anything special to get their mares ready for breeding?

[LynnG]

I read recently not to have your mares on fescue grass during time of breeding. You want them not too fat or too skinny. You'll want to have their spring vaccinations in order prior to breeding, such as WNV and Rabies especially. A thorough repro veterinary and ultrasound exam with recent culture is your best bet to be in order. Also, a biopsy and cytology if mare hasn't foaled within 1-2 years or has had past breeding issues.

I added some new breeding info web links to The Smoothest Ride breeding info page....you might want to take a look.

[Abejita]

Well if they are receiving a good diet now ,not really anything different. An obese horse and underweight horses can have problems getting pregnant, so if either is an issue ,work on it now (Vet studies actually show a "little' excess weight is better than being underweight for breeding)Some people feed msm.Have not seen any studies on that.
I do have a uterine culture done and a breeding soundness exam ..Is she a maiden? If she is you can probably skip the culture unless she doesnt take within a few tries.Just start watching her now and if you can, tease her to see when she starts cycling consistently. Good Luck!

[Monty]

We gave calf manna the last few months - to make sure they both got their vitamins! And minerals - We worked with an equine nutritionist.

[motorgypsy]

Agree here - good feed, plenty of exercise, not too fat or thin, uptodate on worming and shots, vet check. MSM is great for everything. It's cheap to so we just give it to everyone in the maintenance dosage. You can get it for less than $4 a pound these days.

[GeorgeGuns]

General good health is the ticket. If you want to get specific though, a hair analysis for minerals and vitamins is a good way to see exactly what may need supplementing.