TNH1001-Basic Broodmare Management

Volumes of material have been written on broodmare management. However, much of the material is extremely detailed and is of little use to the average horse owner who wants to breed a mare. There is a need for a common sense approach to managing the broodmare. This common sense approach, combined with scientific management principles, will allow for a successful breeding program. This paper will address basic principles related to management of broodmares that include nutrition, condition scoring, herd health, lighting programs, the estrous cycle and receptivity to breeding.