Using the correct blankets as part of broodmare management can offer benefits to both the mare and the breeder.

As she prepares to welcome this year’s foals, April Allen shares how blanketing is a fundamental part of caring for her broodmare band in the colder months before foaling.

Having built a world-class breeding programme at Ballywalter Stables, home to stars like Molly Malone and Emmylou, April plays a key role in developing Aloga Stable’s young horses and running the day-to-day business.

Using blankets across her broodmares complements their lifestyles and maintains their wellbeing throughout their pregnancies.

These mares live out all winter. As the farm in Wexford is located near the coast, they are exposed to the wide range of weather fronts that roll in from the Irish Sea. In dry weather conditions, the majority of horses can efficiently thermoregulate naturally before temperatures drop below freezing. However, it is the exposure to wind and rain that significantly impacts their Lower Critical Temperature (LCT).

LCT is the temperature below which a horse will start to burn additional energy in order to stay warm. In the context of a pregnant broodmare, if wet and windy conditions impact her LCT this can result in additional calories burned to maintain core temperature. The implications of this can have multiple effects when a mare is in foal as she is already contributing significant amounts of energy and calories to the development of the foetus.

Late gestation

Late gestation increases a mare’s digestible energy needs by up to 30%. Added cold-induced stress can require upwards of an additional 20% of energy resources depending on individual sensitivities. This kind of stress can potentially impact the mare’s weight and body condition, reduce milk production, lower the foal’s birth weight, and have long-term developmental effects. These considerations are at the core of April’s decision to use blankets throughout the colder months.

April says, “From the time our mares go out to winter grazing at the end of October, they are rugged. I aim to keep their backs and quarters covered so that they stay warm. It is important to keep the rain off their backs to protect them from rain scald and help them to retain their condition, regardless of worsening weather. Over the last few years, our winters have been increasingly wet, so blanketing the mares is more important than ever.”

One of the key considerations that April makes is to ensure the blankets the mares wear are highly waterproof and windproof while still being breathable.

Aloga Equestrian have benefitted from April’s years of breeding experience in the development of the blanket range, for which she is responsible for product testing, as she explains, “When we were developing the turnout range everything was tested on the broodmares. That allowed styles and fabrics to be tested outdoors 24/7 across different equine body shapes and environmental conditions. Product samples had to meet their needs and ensure performance, before being approved for production,” she explains.

Outer fabric

With the mares turned out together, the strength of the outer fabric of the rugs is very important to withstand the wear and tear of group dynamics. The Pro Turnout rug Aloga Equestrian has been developed through these broodmare approved trials and is constructed of a 1200D polyester outer which is fully waterproof while offering robust strength to endure full-time outdoor living.

Temperatures fluctuate

“Over-rugging can cause as many issues with horses as under-rugging,” April warns,” so I opt to use the 0g Pro Turnout across the mares. These lightweight options prevent our unclipped mares from overheating. Lightweight blankets reduce my need for changes if ambient temperatures fluctuate.”

For worsening conditions, April may add hoods to the blankets if cold or rain continues for extended periods to keep manes protected and their necks warm.

“I will check the spacing of the surcingles each week to ensure I can comfortably fit a palm’s width vertically between the mare’s belly and the straps. As their pregnancy progresses and their bellies change shape, I will gradually ease the straps to extend them out to make sure they are never too tight or causing friction.

“The neck shape and front closures of the Pro Turnout are cut to suit horses with strong, developed shoulders so the fit at the front of the blankets is ideally suited to the broodmares’ changing shapes.”

Selecting the correct size blanket to begin with is also key to a mare’s comfort and safety while the blanket is in use.

“Measuring your horse is easily done by taking a soft measuring tape or string and measuring from the centre of the chest to the centre of the tail. When you have this full-length measurement, you subtract 10cm to find the right size for your mare and compare it to a blanket size guide,” she advises. “This prevents rugs slipping or being too tight and causing issues such as rubbing.”

As the final trimester continues and foaling season nears, April will start to remove the blankets from her mares around eight weeks ahead of their due dates.

“At that stage, the mares will be finished on their winter grazing, and we will be bringing them in closer to the yard. Also, the weather tends to be improving, so removing their blankets after they have kept them protected for the winter allows me to monitor changes in the physical shape as they near their due dates,” says April, offering insight into how the routine changes to reflect both the needs of the mare and activities of the breeder ahead of this crucial time before foaling down.

Weight and body condition

The benefits of choosing to rug can complement the wider management of breeding stock throughout the season.

“For me, appropriate blanketing of the mares is fundamental, along with their nutritional programme, to help them to maintain weight and body condition and produce a strong and healthy foal. Also, their coats benefit from being protected from the elements and using turnout rugs helps to protect from skin issues that their bodies would be exposed to unrugged.”

At the end of the season the turnout rugs are laundered, and any necessary repairs are carried out before they are stored away in a cool dry place ready for the following winter.

From April’s personal experience, the benefits of blanketing are not just a seasonal habit but a strategic decision woven into her broader and very successful breeding programme. By managing exposure through the winter months, correct rugging practices can help reduce variables that could compromise condition or milk production and help broodmares to transition into foaling season in optimal shape.