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.