How Much Grain?

MountainWoman · Oct 24, 2012

Just wondering if anyone can give me a rough idea in pounds (not cups) of how much grain I should feed my mare.

She's 14 and is 5 months pregnant. She's in good weight. She's getting pasture (rough) during the day and free choice hay when she is stalled at night but soon she'll be on all hay when the snow starts falling.

Anyway, not sure if she should get a pound a day of grain or more and I could use some advice.

And I'm honored to have her in my barn for sure. She's Little King's Russian Raven and just a sweetheart of a mare.

Thanks!

muffntuf · Oct 24, 2012

It's generally by weight of the animal. If she weighs less than 0.5% of body weight per day. In her last 3 months of gestation I would up her protein from 14% to 16% at least. So if 175 lbs. miniature then 3/4 lb. a day, with adjustment for more weight. 1-3 % of body weight in hay.

chandab · Oct 24, 2012

Its going to depend on the size of the mare and the directions for the particular feed you are using. Some feeds recommended 3# per day, others 5-7# per day (all based on full-size horse - so minis it would be under 1# for the first, and 1.5-2# for the second); so how much will really depend on the mare and the particular feed.

I've been feeding a maintenance extruded feed (locally available), the appropriate amount for my B-size minis for maintenance is 3/4#; they were on that amount for pretty much their whole pregnancy, then the last trimester or so I added 2 cups (about 10oz) Triple Crown Growth to their diet. It worked beautifully for my mares, this year. [i have to special order all TC products, so don't use them excessively, wish I could readily get them.]