Serious horse producers are concerned about their mares' reproductive performance and ability to mother strong, healthy foals. Economic survival often hinges on mares foaling early in the year, rebreeding quickly and nursing a growing foal that develops soundly. While achieving these goals in a herd of broodmares is dependent upon many factors, nutritional well-being is one important part of an effective broodmare operation.

Broodmares have specific nutritional requirements that differ from other classes of horses. There are differences both in the amount of feed mares need and in the nutrient concentration needed in that feed. Therefore the broodmare fits into a class of her own.

The observant mare owner is accustomed to monitoring body condition on a regular basis. Until recently, however, there were varying opinions as to the body condition most desirable for pregnant and milking mares.

Research results now offer valuable management information relative to the effect of nutrition on the reproductive performance on mares. It has been clearly shown that mares should be kept in top condition the year around and especially as breeding season approached. By checking that apparent fat cover in mares at the areas shown in fig. 1 owners can assign a numerical condition score to mares. Horseman should use this scoring system as a basic management tool for determining whether or not mares are in optimum condition for breeding. Research has demonstrated that mares with condition scores of less that 5 do not perform as well reproductively as do mares with scores greater than 5. Moderately fleshy to fat mares can be expected to a) cycle earlier in the year, b) have fewer cycles per conception, c) have a higher pregnancy rate and d) maintain pregnancy more easily than thin mares.

Research also indicates that a condition score of 5 or less in milking mares means they do not have enough stored fat to support efficient reproductive performance. Those mares in marginal or poor body condition (5 or less) are more likely to skip a breeding season, and their bodies use dietary nutrients primarily for milk production rather than reproduction. When mares receive inadequate nutrition the incidence of embryo loss also increases. So, it is important to get mares in suitable body condition and keep them that way year around.

Reproductive performance often can be improved in the thin mares when they are fed to gain weight. However, putting weight on an extremely thin mare is costly, and can be dangerous as well because some digestive disorders are associated with high levels of feed intake. While no foaling difficulties or rebreeding problems have been found in mares that are obese, there are no reproductive advantages to keeping mares in a condition of 8 or 9. This can also be economically prohibitive. Therefore, scores of 5.5 to 7.5 represent the economic optimum, because mares in this condition normally spend fewer days at the breeding farm and less time open. Management of body condition should be supported by careful selection of feedstuffs and accurate ration formulation, because this is an important step in promoting normal foal growth.

** Body condition also plays an important role in the performance of equine athletes, a good point of measure to remember is you can only get out of them what you put in to them!

 

1. Poor	The horse is emaciated. The spinous processes (backbone), ribs, tailhead and hooks and pins all project prominently. The bone structures of the withers, shoulders and neck are easily noticeable, and no fat can be felt anywhere.
2. Very Thin	The spinous processes are prominent. The ribstailhead and pelvic bones stand out, and bone structures of the withers, neck and shoulders are faintly discernable.
3. Thin	The spinous processes stand out, but fat covers them to midpoint. Very slight fat cover can be felt over the ribs, but the spinous processes and ribs are easily discernable. The tailhead is prominent, but individual vertebrae cannot be seen. Hook bones are visible but appear rounded. Pin bones cannot be seen. The withers, shoulders and neck are accentuated.
4. Moderately Thin	The horse has a negative crease along its back and the outline of the ribs can just be seen. Fat can be felt around the tailhead. The hook bones cannot be seen and the withers, neck and shoulders do not look obviously thin.
5. Moderate	The back is level. Ribs cannot be seen but can be easily felt. Fat around the tailhead feels slightly spongy. The withers look rounded and the shoulder and neck blend smoothly into the body.
6. Moderate to Fleshy	There may be a slight crease down the back. Fat around the tailhead feels soft and fat over the ribs feels spongy. There are small deposits along the sides of the withers, behind the shoulders and along the sides of the neck.
7. Fleshy	There may be a crease down the back. Individual ribs can be felt, but there is noticeable fat between the ribs. Fat around the tailhead is soft. Fat is noticeable in the withers, the neck and behind the shoulders.
8. Fat	The horse has a crease down the back. Spaces between ribs are so filled with fat that the ribs are difficult to feel. The area along the withers is filled with fat, and fat around the tailhead feels very soft. The space behind the shoulders is filled in flush and some fat is deposited along the inner buttocks.
9. Extremely Fat	The crease down the back is very obvious. Fat appears in patches over the ribs and there is bulging fat around the tailhead, withers, shoulders and neck. Fat along the inner buttocks may cause buttocks to rub together, and the flank is filled in flush.

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Horseman should use this scoring system as a basic management tool for determining whether or not mares are in optimum condition for breeding. Research has demonstrated that mares with condition scores of less than 5 do not perform as well reproductively as do mares with scores greater than 5.

Texas A&M Publication #B-5025, 9M-2-92