NUTRITION
BODY CONDITION & REPRODUCTION written by Brenna Weaver
Reproductive output is a central source of income for a breeder. Identifying deficits and mitigating as many problems in your breeding program as possible are keys to success. There’s nothing more frustrating than a mare failing to conceive repeatedly or a stallion suffering from subfertility. In this, body condition plays a vital role – a horse deprived of nutrients necessary for ideal function is frustrating from an emotional and financial viewpoint.
BODY CONDITION SCORES The Body Condition Score System was developed in 1983 by Dr. Don Henneke and collegues. This invaluable and straightforward tool allows veterinarians and horse 46
owners alike the ability to rate accurately the overall condition of horses. It measures stores of fat in six key regions: neck, withers, ribs, behind the shoulder, loin, and tailhead. The body condition score (BCS), is achieved by both visual indications and manual palpation of these regions. A horse is then given a score between 1 and 9, with a 1 being emaciated and 9 being obese (see chart).
IDEAL RANGE FOR MARES Mares bear the brunt of the work when it comes to reproduction - growing embryos, delivering foals, and providing critical nutrition during the first six months of a foal’s
