Breeding/Growing horses

Question 1

energy requirement for stallions during the breeding season is similar to what

Answer 1

light work

Question 2

T/F the act of mating is the biggest factor on increased DE during mating season

Answer 2

FALSE. additional activity and physiological response to breeding is

Question 3

T/F as you increase E intake other nutrients will generally be met

Answer 3

TRUE

Question 4

what affects the specific DE requirements of stallions during breeding season

Answer 4

number of mares bred
temperament

Question 5

what body condition scores will significantly decrease reproductive efficiency for stallions

Answer 5

3 or below, or 8 and above

Question 6

side effects of a breeding stallion with a BCS of 8/9

Answer 6

increase arthritis
increase laminitic risk
risk of heart attack
lower libido

Question 7

ideal BCS for stallions during breeding season

Answer 7

5-6

Question 8

ideal BCS for broodmares during breeding season

Answer 8

6-8

Question 9

benefits of a mare with a higher BCS during breeding season

Answer 9

-cycle earlier
-fewer cycles per conception
-higher pregnancy rate
-maintain pregnancy more easily

Question 10

what can obesity(BCS of 9) in mares effect

Answer 10

decreased milk production, leads to decreased fetal growth

Question 11

below what body condition do mares have breeding issues

Answer 11

below 4

Question 12

effects of feeding a thin mare to gain weight during lactation

Answer 12

-milk production can increase
-it needs to be done slowly since quick dietary changes cause issues
-can be hard to do during lactation since energy requirements are so high

Question 13

what is flushing?
is it useful?

Answer 13

practice of feeding increased energy prior to breeding

Beneficial for thin horses but does nothing for a mare in already good BCS

Question 14

what does inefficient energy lead to

Answer 14

-weight loss
-decreased reproductive function
-increased early embryonic loss

Question 15

what does inefficient protein lead to in reproduction

Answer 15

-failure to ovulate
-increase early embryonic loss

Question 16

T/F providing excess vitamin A and E is a good way to improve repro function

Answer 16

FALSE

Question 17

what form of vitamin A can impair reproductive function in mares when fed in inadequate amounts

Answer 17

B-keratin

Question 18

4 categories of broodmares

Answer 18

barren
gestating
lactating
maiden(never foaled before)

Question 19

what time frame is gestation split into

Answer 19

early: 0-8 months
late: 9-11 months

Question 20

what are nutrient requirements for broodmares based on

Answer 20

maintenance needs + nutrients needed for foal + products of cenception

Question 21

how much does the foal grow per day during early gestation

Answer 21

0.1-0.2 lbs/day

Question 22

T/F grain often needs to be fed during early gestation to support foal growth

Answer 22

FALSE. no grain is usually needed as long as you have good quality forage

Question 23

T/F increasing energy during late gestation will often meet other nutrient requirements as well for broodmares

Answer 23

FALSE

Question 24

why might you want to feed grain to a mare in late gestation even if she is maintaining a good BCS on just hay

Answer 24

-help adapt her to grain she’ll need during lactation
-as foal grows there is less room in the GI tract and grain is smaller that hay

Question 25

when are vitamin/mineral supplements needed during late gestation

Answer 25

when feeding 100% forage, less than .5% BW grain thats been fortified for pregnant mares

Question 26

time frames of lactation

Answer 26

early: birth-3 months late: 4-weaning(6 months)

Question 27

what are nutrient requirements for lactation based on

Answer 27

maintenance needs + nutrients for milk production + maintain BCS for rebreeding

Question 28

what percent of mares BW do they produce in milk during early lactation

Answer 28

approx. 3%

Question 29

how much do DE and protein requirements in lactating mares increase over maintenance

Answer 29

DE: 80% Protein: 120%

Question 30

what percent of mares BW do they produce in milk during late lactation

Answer 30

approx. 2%

Question 31

how should diet be modified to prepare for weaning

Answer 31

-reduce or eliminate grain 1-2 weeks before weaning(start reduction about a month in advance) -eliminate grain 2 weeks post weaning

Question 32

why do you want to lower grain 1-2 weeks before weaning

Answer 32

-reduce milk production -encourage foal to eat solid food

Question 33

why do you want to eliminate grain 2 weeks after weaning

Answer 33

-help dry up udder -reduces mares discomfort after weaning -reduce risk of mastitis