Breeding a mare can represent a large economic and even emotional investment. Once the mare is pregnant our goal is to provide the best care for her so that eleven months later, she can deliver a healthy foal.

A pregnant mare is considered normal when there is no medical reason to think that she is prone to complications during pregnancy or delivery. If a mare is reasonably young, that is less than 20 year of age, and healthy, or there is no history of problems in previous gestations, this is a pretty good assumption. Therefore, with few exceptions, a pregnant mare should be managed and treated as any other horse in the farm:

She should follow her routine exercise schedule and be allowed plenty of turnout.

She should be fed a balanced diet consisting of good quality roughage and grain as needed.

She should have access to plenty of fresh clean water.

With few exceptions, she should be on the same vaccination and deworming schedule as the other horses in the farm.

She should continue to have routine teeth and foot care.

A pregnant mare SHOULD NOT:

Be stall bound.

Be overfed just because she is pregnant.

Be restricted from access to water.

Be vaccinated or dewormed without consulting a veterinarian.

Exercise

A healthy mare in early pregnancy can follow her routine exercise and competition schedule. Mares may compete and even jump fences up to 6-8 months into their pregnancy as long as there are no sudden changes in their level of competition.

It is usually recommended that you gradually decrease your mare's hard work at around 7-9 months of pregnancy, depending on her physical condition and disposition.

The most important thing to remember is that your mare's routine should not be changed drastically just because she is pregnant. For example, an idle or light-working broodmare should not be suddenly submitted to strenuous training/exercise, or vice-versa, just as any other horse.

Whether in a light, moderate or hard work schedule, all pregnant mares should be allowed plenty of turnout for voluntary exercise, preferably in pasture, throughout pregnancy.