The general recommendation is to feed one pound of grain per 100 pounds of body weight. Mares are in good body condition if their ribs cannot be seen, but can be felt with light pressure. The function of the high fibre forage is to provide fill and to keep the gut functioning properly. Protein Meeting the minimum protein requirement is absolutely necessary to ensure a healthy and vigorous mare and foal. Excess protein must be avoided.
Protein is broken down in the gut and absorbed into the blood stream as ammonia.
Blood from the gut goes to the liver where the ammonia is converted to urea. If there is more protein than required, blood urea begins to rise. The body, in trying to maintain a constant level of blood urea, excretes any excess in the urine. Click to expand Grass Growth Grass crops for hay and pasture are produced on a wide range of soil types and under variable climatic regimes. Growth in grasses may be divided into two phases - vegetative and reproductive.