Ep. 73: Broodmare Nutrition: Why Your Foal’s Health Starts Before Birth
Ep. 73: Broodmare Nutrition: Why Your Foal’s Health Starts Before Birth  
Podcast: Scoop & Scale: An Equine Podcast (Mostly) About Nutrition
Published On: Mon Apr 13 2026
Description: Mare nutrition plays a far bigger role in foal development than most horse owners realize and the science is now showing that what happens during pregnancy can influence a foal for life. In this episode, we break down and explore how broodmare diet shapes foal growth, metabolism, and long-term soundness.From epigenetics and fetal programming to practical feeding strategies for pregnant mares, this conversation connects cutting-edge research with real-world feeding decisions for horse owners, breeders, and equine professionals.In this episode, we discuss:Why broodmare nutrition is critical before conception and during pregnancyHow epigenetics and fetal programming influence foal developmentThe role of energy intake, body condition score, and metabolic health in maresWhat research shows about overfeeding, restriction, and long-term foal outcomesAnd so much moreWhether you’re breeding performance horses, managing a small broodmare herd, or simply want to better understand equine nutrition science, this episode will change how you think about feeding mares and raising foals. Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com   Thanks for riding along with us!