Nutrition & feeding of the broodmare

This publication deals with the broodmare, which is the key animal in the Equine chain. In the new competitive context of Equine Industry, the mare should foal a healthy offspring yearly at an optimum cost. The foal should be born and weaned at the accurate months of the year to fit the particular goals of production, i.e. races, sports or leisure horses. The improvement of knowledge of the biology of pregnancy and lactation on the one hand and of the nutrition and the interaction between nutrition and physiology of reproduction on the other hand is of major concern to the equine industry. The book is divided in six parts: Pregnancy; Lactation; The foal; Feeding practices and pasture management; Nutrition and reproductive performances; and, Advances in reproductive biotechnologies. Each part contains peer-reviewed contributions by well known experts. These materials are the second step of further discussion on the evaluation and prediction of the requirements of the different types of horses covered in the scope of the working group of the Horse commission of the European Association for Animal Production. All those concerned with husbandry and feeding systems in the equine industry will find this book a valuable resource. It serves as a reference point for scientists, veterinarians, adviser officers, and practioneers in the equine industry, as well as for teachers and students in equine science.