FEEDING STALLIONS

Nutrition is crucial to breeding success, not least when it comes to the stallion, with the main factor undoubtedly being to keep him in peak condition. Essentially, the stallion should be trim and full of vitality, without allowing him to become either fat or underweight.

The only nutrient requirement which is significantly different in the breeding stallion is energy. The increased energy needed for the act of breeding itself is small. However, the increased physical activity that may be associated with breeding, such as pacing and restlessness, may substantially increase dietary energy requirements. The amount of the increase and therefore the amount of feed required varies considerably between individuals, but essentially the proper amount to feed is that necessary to maintain body condition.

During the breeding season, some stallions' appetites may be reduced with the distraction of mares on their mind, and weight loss may occur as a result. Feeding a high quality palatable diet which is energy dense (Calm & Condition or Weight Gain Mix), will ensure that what he does eat will put condition on him effectively.

If possible, turning the stallion out on good grass for a few hours each day will help him unwind and relax mentally, give him a valuable opportunity for exercise, and also allow him to pick at grass which is likely to be more tempting than hay or other forage.

In general, the breeding stallion should be fed a diet similar in nutrient content to that of the exercised or working horse. If you want to ensure that the stallion's diet contains a sufficient amount of all vitamins for optimum health and reproductive ability, giving a balanced feed, or a broad-spectrum supplement provides good quantities of all these micro-nutrients. This is preferable to supplementing individual vitamins - something that can lead to some vitamins being supplied in excessive amounts.

At no time should the stallion be allowed to put on excess weight. Out of the breeding season, if the stallion is not fulfilling a dual competition role, then hay supplemented with a low energy cube such as Quiet Pencils or Hacking Pencils will usually be satisfactory. If the stallion is competing, then he will need to be fed according to the work he is doing.

As the breeding season starts, a higher energy feed such as Stud Mix, or Stud Pencils or a conditioning feed such as Weight Gain Mix or Calm & Condition can be introduced. At this time the quality of forage is also particularly important - whether you use hay or haylage.

Even if the stallion is doing no other work, a diet of 0.75-1.0 kg of concentrate feed per 100kg bodyweight daily, plus hay, may be necessary to maintain his body condition. Of course, like any other horse, this should be reduced if he either becomes too full of himself, or he starts to put on excess weight.

For stallions that need higher levels of concentrate feed to maintain their condition, but who tend to become difficult to handle and get rather hot-headed, it is important to find a conditioning feed which is high in digestible energy, yet low in starch. In such circumstances Calm & Condition is ideal.

Energy sources such as oil and fibre are less likely to exacerbate behavioural problems, and keep the horse calmer than when fed on feeds which are higher in their cereal content. Follow these few basic principles of good nutrition, and any stallion will benefit, which can only be good news for your breeding plans.

Information kindly provided by Allen & Page
Norfolk Mill, Shipdham, Thetford, Norfolk. IP25 7SD.
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