Managing broodmares and foals profitably and safely

Broodmares and their foals are at high risk of stress, diseases and injuries if their management is suboptimal, says Dr Mac.

- Dr Mac

Foals are the main source of income for a horse breeder, and the profitability of the enterprise lies in rearing a foal every year from a broodmare. Clean stables and enough clean water with correct amounts of balanced feed and hay are essential.

The daily routine should not be taken for granted. Grooms have to be managed to make sure they are doing what is needed. It’s very easy to kill a foal, or worse, to kill a broodmare with a young foal at foot and lose three horses that have consumed feed for 11 months. Dirty water, contaminated feed and poorly managed pastures are a lethal combination.