Do lactating (milking mares) need a more nutritious diet?
Yes. A lactating mare needs nearly double the energy, protein and mineral requirements needed by a mare in early pregnancy. A 500 kg (1100 lb) mare will produce about 15 kg or about 15 L (3 gallons) of milk per day. Making milk is a nutrient costly process. Milking mares need lush nutrient-rich pasture or good quality hay with supplemental grain to sustain milk production.
