Just launched by Saracen Horse Feeds in time for the 2007 foaling season, Mare-Care will ensure that future youngsters are given the best start in life.

A broodmare's feeding programme should be divided into three separate stages:
1 Early Pregnancy (from conception to seven months)
2 Late Pregnancy (seven months to foaling)
3 Lactation (generally lasts for five to six months after foaling)

Mare-Care is a specially formulated diet for broodmares during their last two stages, late pregnancy and lactation. After seven months of pregnancy when the foetus develops rapidly, its nutrient requirements become significantly greater than the mare's maintenance requirements. The foetus stores iron, zinc, copper and manganese in its liver for use during the first few months of life as mare's milk is quite low in these elements. The trace mineral supplementation provided by Mare-Care is therefore particularly important during this period.

After foaling, the mare's nutrient requirements increase significantly, with a particular need for glucose in milk production. As energy requirements are likely to increase gradually during the last weeks of pregnancy, the levels of Mare-Care fed can be adjusted according to the mare's body condition. Keeping condition on the mare, without her getting fat, is essential to support efficient reproductive performance. Underfeeding mares during this period can result in decreased milk production, loss of bodyweight and condition, and compromised reproductive efficiency.

Mare-Care is fortified with Stamm 30, another specialist feed from Saracen. This gives nutrient continuity and has the added benefit of providing flexible energy levels to control body condition when the two feeds are used together. Mare-Care also provides a natural source of vitamin E, Omega 3 fatty acid supplementation and BioMos, which helps neutralise bacteria (such as Salmonella and E-Coli) in the gut.

Mare-Care has been developed with the sports horse and Thoroughbred industry in mind. As part of the Thoroughbred feeding range that Saracen offer, it can be used in the Two-Part Feeding System with Stamm 30. This system has been devised so that energy levels can be increased or decreased as required at any stage of the breeding season.

Individual assessment of breeding stock is crucial, and feeding rates should be adjusted to maintain appropriate body condition on mares and youngsters at all times.