When our thoroughbred mare Daisy was pregnant with Sham nine years ago, she moved through her stages predictably with no issues. In her last month, her milk bag was slow to fill but the signs of change were there.

During the first eight months of pregnancy, a mare may be fed like any other horse, with a balanced, high quality diet. But things are changing rapidly during the final three months of pregnancy: The mare now requires more calories, more protein, more omega 3s, and balanced vitamins and minerals, not only for the unborn foal but also to prepare for milk production.

By Kentucky Equine Research - Since the mid-1980s, nutritionists, farm managers, veterinarians, and animal welfare workers have employed a universal method of measuring weight and fat distribution developed by Dr. Henneke. This process, called body condition scoring, has become a valuable management tool on breeding farms worldwide.