In a message dated 12/30/2008 10:50:18 PM Central Standard Time,
greeneyes_712004@... writes:

I live in a area where fescue seems to be the main hay and grass
source. Now keep in mind, I have never really paid much attention to
grass before having horses. I have been told I need to pull my mare
off fescue atleast 3 months prior to foaling date. My question is,
what is a suitable hay choice, is alfalfa ok? what about beet pulp ,
do I need to pull that as well? I feed beet puplp in the winter mixed
in with the pelleted grain and corn mixture. Do I keep her off fescue
even after the baby comes? If so how long?


Three months is about right and you should definitely take her off of
fescue. Fescue causes a lack of milk and also causes conception problems.
Alfalfa
is my choice of hay, it is high in calcium and protein. Some will argue but a
mare in foal needs all the protein she can get and of course calcium. I would
add equine minerals to her diet. I don't anything about beet pulp.

Oh yea, the closer she gets to foaling the more you'll worry.


Walt
If you're too dumb to know, be smart enough to ask.
_Evergreen Equikits, Inc._ (http://www.evergreenequikits.com/)

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