Racing Mare nutrition

Question
Hi, just wondering if you can make any suggestions for any differences in the feeding/supplementing when a racing mare vs a gelding or horse.
My local mentor that I've learned most of my stuff from only raced geldings in the time I worked with him so everything was directed to their needs.
I have several geldings at the moment, who look great and are performing well.
My challenge is that I also have a couple of mares in work, 1 whom seems to be about 95% compared to the boys, but the other I can only get to about 60-70%.  I've had her since foal, she is now 3yo and has had 2 preps, and should be ready to race.
Her coat never quite looks right, has dull ends on it.  Standing back from her in the sun, she has a good shine, with dapples, her condition is good, she's not overweight, looks just about right for giving the last couple of quick runs before a start.
She seems to have plenty of energy in the yard, but just isn't quite reaching her top on the track.  Pulls up well and recovers quickly so isn't quite extending herself as much as she might.
I don't feed pre-mixes, they get soaked barley, corn, rice bran, wheat chaff, a multi vitamin mix, vit E, C,  electrolytes, and kidney toner.

Ultimately after all the waffle above, the question is:

Is there something a bit different in feed or supplements that mares need to be at their top vs what a gelding needs?


Answer
I adjust feeding by the horse and it's particular needs and not by the sex of the horse. You have to consider that a colt/gelding will "muscle up" more and a filly will tend took look lighter in most cases. The fillies you see, that are muscled up, may be on steroids or are just genetically prone to bulk up more like a colt or gelding. Make sure you feed by weight a amount of workload. Evaluate each as an individual. Don't compare how one looks beside another. Make sure you are worming all of them as this may reflect in their coat. Maybe add flax seed to the diet for added fat and coat shine. I prefer oats in my feeds, but if you are please with the results of all the other horses, then maybe add some whole oats to the filly's diet as well.

She may not like to train on dirt. I have had horse's that ran like champs on turf, but simply hated to run on dirt. They didn't give 100 percent and like you stated, "fully extend". I would also have her back checked for soreness. Make sure she is not experiencing joint problem either.

So, no, I have not found anything I feel a mare needs more than a gelding, nutritionally speaking.

I hope I have been of some help.

Christopher Crocker

Crocker Racing Stable Inc.

http://CrockerRacingStable.com