Broodmares, foals, youngstock and working stallions do not have one fixed set of nutritional requirements. Their needs change with pregnancy, milk production, growth, workload and body condition. A successful feeding plan therefore starts with the individual horse and its forage, then supplies any additional energy, quality protein, vitamins and minerals in a controlled and balanced way.This guide explains the main points to consider at each stage. It is intended as general information; breeding stock and growing horses benefit from a ration assessed by an equine nutritionist or vet, particularly where growth, condition or health is causing concern.Start with forage, weight and body conditionGood-quality forage should remain the foundation of the ration. Its nutritional value can vary considerably, however, so the amount and type of bucket feed needed will depend on the grass, hay or haylage being supplied.Before choosing or changing a feed, consider: current bodyweight and body condition; the quality and quantity of forage available; stage of pregnancy or lactation; the age, condition and growth pattern of youngstock; the stallions workload and time of year; and any veterinary, metabolic, dental or digestive concerns.Body condition should be checked regularly by both looking and feeling. A thick winter coat can conceal weight loss, while a growing youngster can gain height without developing evenly. Weigh tapes, photographs and written records make gradual changes easier to spot.Feeding the pregnant broodmareEarly and middle pregnancyDuring the earlier part of pregnancy, many mares can meet much of their energy requirement from suitable forage. This does not mean that vitamins, minerals and quality protein can be ignored. A forage-based ration may still need a correctly formulated balancer or stud feed to cover micronutrient requirements without supplying unnecessary calories.Avoid feeding extra concentrate simply because a mare is in foal. Use her body condition and the quality of her forage to guide the amount. An overweight mare should not be subjected to sudden restriction, but unnecessary weight gain is not desirable either.Late pregnancyFoetal growth accelerates during the final months of pregnancy, increasing the mares requirement for energy, quality protein and correctly balanced minerals. Calcium and phosphorus are important, but trace minerals such as copper, zinc and manganese also contribute to normal development.Balance matters as much as quantity. Adding several vitamin and mineral supplements to an already fortified stud feed can create excesses or disturb important ratios. Follow the feed manufacturers recommended rate and seek advice before combining fortified products.Feeding the lactating mareMilk production places a much greater nutritional demand on the mare. Her requirements can rise sharply after foaling, particularly during early lactation. Monitor her condition closely rather than waiting until substantial weight has been lost.Good forage, constant access to fresh water and an appropriately fortified feed are central to the ration. Increase feed gradually, divide larger daily quantities between several meals and review the amount as milk production changes. A mare that is losing condition, producing insufficient milk or recovering poorly after foaling should be assessed promptly by a vet and nutritionist.Feeding foals, weanlings and youngstockFor young horses, the aim is steady, even development rather than the fastest possible weight gain. Excess energy can encourage rapid growth, while deficiencies or imbalances in protein, vitamins and minerals can also compromise development.Quality protein is important because it supplies amino acids used in muscle and tissue development. Mineral balance is equally important for the growing skeleton. A purpose-formulated youngstock or stud feed can be easier to balance than combining several straights and supplements without professional guidance.Useful principles include: keep forage at the centre of the diet; choose a feed formulated specifically for breeding stock or youngstock; measure feed by weight rather than relying on an unweighed scoop; divide the daily ration into suitable meals; introduce all dietary changes gradually; monitor body condition, growth and limb development; and ask for professional advice if growth is uneven or a youngster becomes too lean or too well covered.Feeding working stallionsA stallions needs depend on body condition, exercise, temperament and breeding workload. Some maintain condition easily, while others require additional calories during the season. Fibre and oil can provide useful slow-release energy, but the total ration still needs enough quality protein, vitamins and minerals.Review the ration before the breeding season and continue monitoring through it. Large, sudden increases in concentrate are unnecessary and can disturb digestive health.What should a stud feed provide?A well-formulated stud or youngstock feed should make it easier to supply: controlled energy matched to condition and growth; quality protein and essential amino acids; a carefully balanced vitamin and mineral package; adequate fibre for digestive health; and clear feeding instructions that allow the full ration to be calculated accurately.The best product is not automatically the one with the most calories or the longest ingredient list. It is the one that complements the forage and supplies the nutrients the individual horse needs without unnecessary duplication.Where Pure Stud can fitPure Feed Pure Stud is an all-in-one bucket feed formulated for breeding horses, youngstock and working stallions. It combines chaff, fibre-based and oil-based energy sources, quality protein, a vitamin and mineral balancer, prebiotics and live yeast.The current manufacturer specification states 14% protein, 38% fibre, 7% oil, 4% starch and 6% naturally occurring sugar. It contains no molasses and is formulated without wholegrain cereals, alfalfa, soya or nutritionally improved straw. Pure Feeds supplier feeding guide uses body condition and workload to help select a starting rate. Always check the current bag instructions.Pure Feeds stated daily rate for Pure Stud is 400600g per 100kg of bodyweight. That equates to approximately 23kg per day for a 500kg horse. The appropriate point within that range depends on condition, forage and individual requirements, so the rate should not be treated as a universal target.A practical monitoring checklist Weigh both the horse and the feed as accurately as practical. Record body condition regularly using the same scoring method. Check forage supply and quality whenever the season or batch changes. Introduce new feeds over several days rather than changing abruptly. Keep clean, fresh water available at all times. Use manufacturer feeding rates to ensure fortified feeds supply their intended nutrient levels. Review the ration when pregnancy stage, milk production, growth, workload or condition changes.Breeding-horse nutrition is not about adding as many products as possible. A simple forage-based ration, supported by a correctly formulated feed and adjusted through each life stage, is usually the clearest route to balanced nutrition.Browse our horse cubes, mixes and mashes, or view Pure Feed Pure Stud 15kg.

Irish President Catherine Connolly made the The Donkey Sanctuarys stand at Irelands National Ploughing Championships her first port of call when she visited the event earlier this month. President Connolly is well-known for her support of animal welfare and recalled memories of donkeys from her childhood when she spoke with the team on the stand. She also spoke about the important role donkeys have played in rural communities.During her visit, the President was presented with a brass statuette of a donkey and foal and was invited to visit The Donkey Sanctuarys site in Liscarroll next year as part of the charitys 40th anniversary celebrations.It was a real honour to welcome President Connolly to our stand. Her genuine warmth and affection for donkeys was clear to see, and it was wonderful to hear her share memories of growing up with them in Ireland, said welfare office supervisor Sinad Fitzgerald.We were especially proud to showcase our newly branded stand and talk about the work being done to improve donkey welfare across the country.Largest outdoor agricultural exhibitionThe National Ploughing Championships are Europes largest outdoor agricultural exhibition with 243,000 agricultural professionals, farming families and animal enthusiasts attending over the three days. During the event the charitys welfare team shared its work, offered practical advice on responsible rehoming and care, and built relationships with the farming community. President Connolly has a long-standing commitment to animal welfare, making her a great ally for donkeys and the people who care for them, said Country Manager Ireland Johanne Nevin. It was a pleasure to tell her about our future plans in Ireland and to invite her to join our 40th year celebrations next year. We greatly appreciate her interest in our work and her support for improving the lives of donkeys across Ireland.Image The Donkey Sanctuary.More from Your HorseEscapee donkeys rehomed by charityHow to tell if a horse is happy: behaviourist reveals 13 key signs9 essential things to get right when youre taking care of a horseEssential guide to horse health insurance and vet fees coverThe post Irelands President visits The Donkey Sanctuarys stand at National Ploughing Championships appeared first on Your Horse.

Does your horse struggle with sudden sounds? Whether its a car horn on the roads or a lawn mower starting up during your hack, there are many sounds that our horses need to become accustomed to.Eloise Mayhead, former stable manager at the City of Londons Mounted Branch, shares one exercise she used to prepare police horses for patrol.We played noise using speakers in the yard to desensitise our horses to different sounds, says Eloise. When it comes to noise sensitivity, we encouraged them to move towards the noise rather than away by enticing them with food first of all.The police desensitise their horses to loud sounds using instruments like drums, but you can just use bin lids. Have a friend or family member stand a few metres in front of your horse and make a soft sound on the lid to start with.How to ride itStand your horse in the middle of your arena.Keep your hands low, with a soft rein contact and your body relaxed in the saddle. Squeeze with your legs and walk towards the noise.Keep your leg pressure on your horse. If he shies away or hesitates, squeeze with your legs and use your voice to encourage him.Ask the person on the ground to increase the noise.Once hes standing calmly as close to the noise as possible, give him plenty of praise.You should keep doing this exercise until hes making no attempt to move away. If your horse doesnt want to move forwards you may need to ask your helper to stand with food to entice him. If he tries to back away from the noise, give him plenty of leg and circle him until hes facing the noise again.Meet the expert: Eloise Mayhead is a former stable manager at the City of Londons Mounted Branch, where she selected and trained police horses.Related contentBored of round the block? Four ways to find new hacking routesWhy wearing the colour red could play a part in safer hacking10 tips for training your horse to open gates out hacking8 benefits of flatwork for every horse, whether you compete or notThe post How to control your horses reaction to sudden noises appeared first on Your Horse.

Since the UK government scrapped the trailer test, more drivers than ever are towing trailers. For horse owners and riders, that means the freedom to take your horse where you want when you want but many equine events take place in fields located on narrow country lanes and if you meet a bigger vehiclecoming the other way, you might have to reverse back to a passing space.If theres one aspect of towing a trailer that brings many drivers out in a cold sweat its reversing, especially into a tight space, but dont panic with a bit of patience and practice, reversing a trailer isnt half as tricky as you think.Edd Cobley from Land Rover Experience East of England offers his tips to help you nail it every time.Tip 1: steer in the wrong directionWhat tends to flummox a lot of drivers is that you need to steer in what feels like the wrong direction at the start of the turn.For example, if you want to reverse your vehicle and trailer to the left, you need to move the steering wheel to the right to begin with.Why? Because the back of your car needs to move to the right to push the front of the trailer on the right, so that the back of the trailer swings to the left.Tip 2: use small movementsOnce your trailer is heading in the correct direction, dont continue to steer in the same direction otherwise youll jackknife your car at a right angle to your trailer.Instead, gradually turn the steering wheel back the other way. Only use small movements to fine-tune your direction.If things dont go to plan, pull forwards a short distance and try again. Remember that every movement of your steering wheel is the reverse of where youd normally turn.Steering right turns the trailer left; steering left turns the trailer right. Remember this!Once youve got the trailer going backwards on roughly the right arc, you need to start turning back the other way.Its easy to over-magnify any movement, so keep your wheel movements small where possible.More top tips:If you can drive through a space going forwards, you can reverse through it too.Dont do too much steering less is more.Be patient and take your time.Use your mirrors to gauge which way your trailer is going.Keep your vehicle speed low.Always return the steering to the centre once you have started to reverse.Dont be afraid to pull forward and try again.The type of terrain can change your trailers turning speed.Own it dont let the trailer and fear of reversing own you.Invest in some professional training.Your Horses top tip:If youre manoeuvring your trailer at home or at a competition, try to do this before your horse is loaded so that you can load up and then drive straight forwards and away.This is good practice whether you transport in a trailer or lorry, because it means a shorter, smoother journey for your horse if he or she is on board while youre reversing or getting into a certain position, it can be uncomfortable, jerky and risks knocking their confidence.It also means your trailer will be lighter, making it easier to manoeuvre for you too. Bonus!Related contentOn the move: Buyers guide to horseboxes and trailers4 things to consider when buying a trailer for your horse5 things to consider before travelling your horseThe post How to successfully reverse a horse trailer every time appeared first on Your Horse.

Lacking awareness while handling and riding our horses means missing their subtle cues and conversations. Mindfulnessis good for growing the bond you have with your horse, as well as tackling confidence issues. Itsabout appreciating your surroundings, noticing people, sights, smells and sounds, and controlling your internal dialogue.Equestrian performance coachLisa Eklund shares five techniques to help you achieve mindful riding:1. Just breatheFocusing on your breathing is the bedrock of mindfulness. It helps you to focus on the present and tackle wayward thoughts.Start as soon as you get to the yard, says Lisa. Take a moment before you leave the car to take a few deep breaths, focusing on the out breath, and make a mental note to stay in the here and now.You can continue this as you groom your horse or muck out around him to stop your mind from wandering to more stressful things.When you mount up, relax, lengthen your reins and breathe, and repeat this as you move off. Youll find your horse starts the session in a more relaxed attitude too. Next, choose a couple of markers in the school and, every time you get there, halt and inhale and exhale deeply.2. Be in the momentConnect physically, emotionally and mentally to each moment and, if other thoughts pop into your head, acknowledge them and then let them drift past.At the yard, recognise the details around you and your horse, says Lisa. Groom him, enjoying the touch, sight, smell and sounds, and recognise how he seems are there any changes physically? What is his state of mind?3. Use your headWhen something isnt working, a mindful rider uses thoughtful assessment to decide what needs changing without laying blame at them or their horses door, explains Lisa. Failures and mistakes become opportunities to grow and learn. So be open minded and free of judgement.Practise positive thinking: dont ask what went wrong, but what went right.Many riding sessions are full of positives, but riders focus on the one thing that isnt, adds Lisa.4. Choose to be happyThis doesnt mean youll walk through life blinkered, not seeing the bad things, says Lisa. But it does mean that youll choose to walk up each morning with a positive outlook, no matter what lies ahead. Make a mindful decision to handle everything with grace and dignity while experiencing all emotions.Happy people bring meaning to their riding with a clear vision of what they want. They understand there will be ups and downs and stay open to the lessons in front of them.5. Get creativeNot all mindfulness involves your horse. Take up a hobby that focuses your mind and requires concentration.Choose one that takes you to a quiet place, says Lisa. Knitting, embroidery, gardening or cooking are ideal theyre complicated enough to make you focus and analyse what youre doing. Let your mind wander and youll lose your place.This is what training yourself to be mindful looks like.Meet the expert: Lisa Eklund is an equestrian performance coach whos based in New York, USA. She uses mindfulness with her pupils to tackle a wide range of issues.Related contentStay confident and in control when riding a lively horseNervous out hacking? Hypnotic language you need to start usingHow to overcome fear when youre ridingHow to tell if a horse is happyThe post How mindfulness can help you be a happier and more confident rider appeared first on Your Horse.