Mare Management for a Legacy Program: Keep the Broodmare Herd Healthy, Productive, and Happy
- afenner
- Aug 29
- 6 min read
Your broodmares are the backbone of any legacy program. They carry the genetics, the maternal instincts, and the production power that determines whether your herd improves year after year. This post focuses on the practical, day-to-day and season-to-season care that keeps mares fertile, healthy, and able to raise the type of foals your program depends on.
We’ll cover nutrition, vaccination timing, body condition, exercise, pregnancy care, older-mares management, foaling season logistics, and the small operational systems that make a breeding season repeatable and reliable.
Program Mindset: Mares First, Profits Second
Treat your mares like high-value athletes and mothers. A neglected mare costs you more in vet bills, lost cycles, and broken seasons than any short-term sale could cover. Your job is to protect the reproductive and physical health of each mare so she can produce the next generation of program horses.
Key principles:
Prevention beats reaction: regular checks, vaccinations, and farrier care.
Comfort improves conception: stress reduction equals better fertility.
Records are your memory: track everything—feed, cycles, treatments, and outcomes.
Nutrition: Stage-Specific Feeding That Supports Fertility and Foal Health
Nutrition is the foundation of reproductive success. Feed the mare for her life stage, not for an arbitrary ration.
Basic rules:
Maintain ideal body condition (BCS 5–6 on a 9-point scale) for breeding; neither fat nor too thin.
Increase calories in late gestation: fetal growth explodes in the last 90 days—step up energy slowly and safely.
High-quality forage first: hay and pasture should be the majority of intake; grain and concentrates supplement energy demands.
Protein matters: quality protein aids milk production; broodmare rations typically need higher digestible protein than adult maintenance feeds.
Practical feeding schedule:
Pre-breeding (60–90 days): maintain BCS, ensure trace minerals and vitamin E/selenium adequacy, test hay for nutrient content.
Gestation (first 8 months): maintenance with attention to parasite control and dental care; adjust based on BCS.
Late gestation (last 90 days): increased energy, consider a broodmare feed, continue quality forage and monitor weight closely.
Lactation: highest energy needs—monitor BCS weekly and adjust energy to prevent too much body loss while nursing.
Work with your nutritionist or a trusted contact to create a feed plan tailored to your forage and climate if necessary.
Vaccination & Health Protocols: Timing Is Everything
A mare that’s healthy going into breeding season is a mare that will cycle, conceive, and carry.
Recommended schedule (work with your vet or other trusted people for specifics):
Pre-breeding exam: uterine culture/cytology, ultrasound, and a pre-breeding wellness check.
Core vaccines: tetanus, rabies, and EEE/WEE/West Nile per region.
Pregnancy vaccines: vaccinate against equine influenza and equine herpesvirus as indicated and follow your vet’s timeline for toxoids that help passive immunity transfer to the foal.
Tetanus & Encephalitis boosters: time these around foaling as recommended.
Document dates and batch numbers in the mare’s record. Vaccination timing affects colostral antibodies in the foal.
Body Condition & Movement: Keep Them Fit, Not Fat
Both underweight and overweight mares suffer fertility losses. Aim for moderate condition throughout the year and target increased energy only in late gestation and lactation.
Movement strategy:
Year-round turnout where possible—pasture builds mental and physical resilience.
Controlled exercise: regular light riding or ground work keeps mares mobile and reduces edema and stiffness.
Avoid excessive sprinting in late gestation; instead emphasize light cardio and range-of-motion exercises.
Assess BCS monthly and adjust feed and exercise proactively.
Reproductive Management: Cycle Tracking, AI, and Live Cover Best Practices
Consistency in your breeding protocol reduces lost cycles and surprises.
Cycle management:
Teasing & ultrasound: track heat cycles precisely; don't guess.
Timing services: use timed AI when possible to reduce handling stress and repeated covers.
Stallion selection: match temperament and conformation to the mare; consider semen type (fresh, chilled, frozen) and plan logistics accordingly.
Post-breeding checks:
Ultrasound at 10–15 days for embryo confirmation.
Re-check at 30–45 days for early embryonic loss detection and heartbeat confirmation.
Record any fluid, infection, or abnormal signs for immediate treatment.
Procedures, semen shipping, and timing are all logistical tasks — treat them like a project with checklists and backups.
Pregnancy Care: The Quiet Months Matter Most
Most of gestation is about managing risk and monitoring for change.
Key actions:
Monthly body checks: palpate gut fill, listen to behavior, and monitor manure and appetite.
Monitor for placentitis symptoms: any abnormal vaginal discharge, premature lactation, or systemic signs require immediate vet attention.
Farrier schedule: trim every 4–6 weeks with attention to balance and comfort.
Nutrition checks: ensure mare maintains BCS and adjust feed as lactation approaches.
Stay organized and conservative; a small issue in late gestation can cascade swiftly.
Foaling Season Logistics: Preparation, Staffing, and Emergency Plans
Foaling is the part of the year that separates the calm planners from the chaotic ones. Have a plan and practice it.
The checklist:
Foaling stall ready: clean, deep-bedded, safe fencing, stall camera if possible.
Neonatal kit: colostrum replacer, plasma, heated fluids, tubes, bulb syringe, thermometers.
Emergency contacts: local vet numbers, transport plan, and a list of equipment locations.
Staffing: clear who handles night watches, who calls the vet, and who documents the foal's first 24 hours.
Run a foaling drill with your team before season. Practice calm, quick responses.
Older Mares: Managing Longevity and Productivity
Older mares are often your program’s most valuable genetic resource. Keep them productive longer with smart care.
Older-mare protocols:
Regular dental and bodywork checks: older mouths need attention to keep feed intake healthy.
Monitor cyclicity: older mares may have irregular cycles — track closely and use tailored repro strategies.
Maintain moderate body condition and avoid pushing for early conception every year if the mare shows declining fertility.
Consider embryo transfer for valuable older mares with reduced carrying ability.
Honoring older mares with attentive care pays dividends in genetics and emotional value.
Biosecurity & Parasite Control: Protect the Herd
A single infection can wreck a season. Be strict.
Isolation protocols for new arrivals and returning show horses (30 days if possible).
Parasite control: fecal egg counts to guide targeted deworming; don’t rotate blind meds.
Clean foaling management: dispose of afterbirth quickly, sanitize stalls, and limit visitor access during the first 48 hours.
A clean, monitored barn equals fewer surprises at breeding time.
Weaning & Return-to-Production: Timing and Care
Weaning can be stressful and temporarily reduce fertility. Time your breedings and weanings to protect conception rates.
Wean early in the season if you plan a quick return to competition, but weigh mare and foal mental health.
Monitor body condition post-weaning and delay breeding if the mare loses significant weight.
Use gradual weaning strategies to minimize stress: partial separation, companion groups, or fenceline weaning.
A rested mare with good condition makes a better mother and a better producer the next season.
Record-Keeping & Program Metrics: The KPIs That Matter
Track these KPIs religiously:
Services per conception
Days open
Early embryonic loss percentage
Foal survival to weaning
Mare BCS trends by season
Review KPIs after each season and adjust your plan. Small changes compound over years.
The Human Systems: Staffing, Scheduling, and Stress Reduction
Running a breeding season is a logistics project. Build human systems that reduce errors.
Clear shifts & responsibilities during foaling season — who watches nights, who calls the vet, who loads the trailer.
Standardized checklists for pre-breeding exams, breeding day, and post-foaling protocols.
Cross-train team members so the absence of one person doesn’t stop the season.
A calm, well-fed team on good sleep does better work than a burned-out crew.
Budgeting & Risk Management: Plan for the Worst, Hope for the Best
Breeding costs add up: vet, repro tech, semen, emergency interventions, and foal care. Budget realistically and keep contingency funds for unexpected losses.
Build a season budget and track actuals.
Consider insurance for high-value mares or foals.
Keep a mortality/illness plan and a list of emergency services and contacts.
Being prepared financially reduces panic-driven decisions.
Final Thoughts
Mare management is the daily, quiet work that makes a legacy possible. It’s not glamorous, but it’s sacred. Give your mares consistency, smart nutrition, veterinary partnership, and a calm environment — and they’ll give you the foals, fertility, and temperament that keep your program moving forward.
Keep the records, keep the standards, and treat each season like a chapter in a long story. That’s how legacies are built.
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Ann‑Marie Fenner
Ranch Manager, Breeder, Rodeo Mom
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