Okay, so, I’ve been messing around with this whole broodmare thing, and let me tell you, it’s been a ride. I started out pretty clueless, not gonna lie. I mean, I knew the basics, like, you know, a broodmare is a female horse used for breeding, but that’s about it.

First thing I did was try to understand what these mares need. Turns out, it’s a lot more than just throwing some hay their way. These ladies are carrying babies, so they need the good stuff. I started digging around, trying to figure out what exactly “the good stuff” meant. I read a bunch of stuff online, but it was all so confusing. High-quality feed, balanced diet, blah blah blah. What does that even mean in real life?
So, I figured the best way to learn was to just jump in. I started by observing the mares I was working with. I watched what they ate, how much they ate, and how they seemed after eating. I noticed some were picky eaters, while others would chow down on anything. I started keeping a little notebook, jotting down my observations. It felt a bit silly at first, like I was some kind of horse detective, but it actually helped.
- Observation 1: Not all mares are created equal when it comes to food.
- Observation 2: They seem to need a lot more food when they’re pregnant, duh.
- Observation 3: Water intake is super important.
Then I moved on to the actual feeding part. I started experimenting with different types of feed, trying to find a balance that worked. I mixed and matched, kept track of what I was giving them, and watched for any changes in their behavior or condition. It was a lot of trial and error, and honestly, a bit messy at times. Hay everywhere, you know?
One thing I learned pretty quickly is that you gotta pay attention to the foals, too. They need to stand up within an hour of birth, start nursing within two hours, and the mare needs to pass the afterbirth within three hours. I wrote that down as the “1-2-3 rule” in my notebook. It’s a simple thing, but it made a huge difference in how I approached things. I was more alert, more aware of the timeline, and that helped me catch a few potential issues early on.
My makeshift “1-2-3 Rule” reminder:
- 1 Hour: Foal standing.
- 2 Hours: Foal nursing.
- 3 Hours: Mare passes afterbirth.
It’s been a learning process, for sure. I’m still figuring things out, but I’m definitely getting better at it. It’s not just about the feed, it’s about understanding the whole process, being patient, and paying attention to the little things. These mares are amazing creatures, and taking care of them, especially when they’re expecting, is a big responsibility. But it’s also pretty rewarding, you know? Seeing a healthy foal take its first steps, that’s something special. And knowing I played a small part in that, well, it makes all the hay and mess worth it.

I’ll keep sharing my notes and what I learn along the way. Maybe it’ll help someone else who’s just starting out, or maybe it’ll just be a good laugh for those who are already pros. Either way, it’s all part of the journey, right?