littlestep
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Another thing vet said..This is the second vet that told me not to increase the feed during the last month of pregnancy..he said better quality, more vitamins and minerals BUT not more food..he said as well as our horses are cared for they really don't need it..unless you got a skinny mare than yes..otherwise, fresh water, good hay and quality feed.
He says if you increase that is when the foal grows too big in utero and you get dystocias..  it does make sense to me..
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Crocker's Critters
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feeding broodmaresI have always changed my mare's feed in the last month, keeping them with it, until just a week or two away from weaning the foals.
The regular feed (Always Purina, for us.)  is a 12%, and I slowly go from that to the 16%, as well as changing them over to what we call our "super-hay". This is a second cut, of an extremely soft, short, orchard grass mix which my Vet recommends becuse of the texture, and protein content for lactating mares, and foals; and my foals stay on it until they are at least six months of age.
So, no, they dont' actually get more, per se...but they get much "better", feed when ready to foal, and while feeding their foals. In that last month, I think the foal is going to do a lot of growing, whether or not they get the extra feed...and I don't want my mares to start off needing weight.
Then again...I do not let my mares get fat either...as you can see from the picture of my latest "monster-child" and his dam. So I think it is something that has to be kept into proportion; over-feeding is bad at any time, and some folks just "have-at-'er".  
Don't-cha just love a chatty Vet?? Mine loves to talk as well, and I just soak it up like the proverbial sponge. 
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littlestep
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Well Crockers you are right!! Quality...NOT quanity!!
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Crocker's Critters
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feeding mares  "Quality not Quantity"...
I have to laugh at that one, as it is my "advertising pitch" I use to try to compete with the large breeders here.
Although we've been involved with Miniatures and their breeding, for many years longer; some folks here, now have herds of 40-60 horses. Although many of these horses, are of course, very nice...we certainly breed competetively, quality-wise. But oh my...it is difficult; as many buyers go by the "bigger is better" ideal...  My former horse-mentor calls it the "white fence" syndrome"... 
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littlestep
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I have No clue how somebody manages 50 horses..I got 20 and its a chore.. But a labor of Love!
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Six
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 oh no...Had crossed my mind that Shivers' baby got to big the last month because I had started feeding that mare & foal
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Betty B
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I have never increased the mares feed unless of course she was thin to start with but my girls are not thin. I think it is alot like us women. Eat healthy and not too much and we have easier deliveries...or so they say,
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littlestep
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Well when I was pregnant i ATE and ate and than somemore..goined like 50 lbs..paid for it..both kids around 9 lbs 
I was pregnant in my arms and thighs..I just hate these woman skinny with a little preggers belly!!
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Betty B
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| littlestep wrote: | | Well when I was pregnant i ATE and ate and than somemore..goined like 50 lbs..paid for it..both kids around 9 lbs |
Yikes! 6#2oz, 7# & an 8# ones for me. SIL had 3 over 10#'s LOL
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