Breeding season brings both opportunity and pressure, with mares needing extra support to conceive, carry, foal, and return to condition. By introducing Vermate into the feeding plan before foaling and continuing through lactation, breeders can help mares cope with these demands while giving foals the very best start in life. From improving conception outcomes and supporting healthy gestation, to strengthening foals at birth and enhancing milk quality, Vermate plays a vital role at every stage of the breeding cycle.
In South Africa, the foaling season for horses typically begins in late August and runs through December, with the majority of foals arriving between September and November. These months bring longer daylight hours, warmer weather, and fresh green pasture. For breeders, this is more than a pleasant time of year. It is a season that offers the best natural conditions for lactating mares and fast-growing foals.
Breeding is often timed so that foals are born as close as possible to August 1, the official birthdate used for age classification in many equestrian disciplines. To achieve this, mares are usually covered between September and December of the previous year. This careful timing ensures that when foals arrive, nature is already providing a helping hand. However, the right management and nutritional support can make an even bigger difference to mare and foal outcomes.
That is where Vermate comes in.
GIVE FOALS THE BEST START IN LIFE
White Waters Warmblood Stud breeder Kraai Kamffer has her entire stud on Vermate
“Since using Vermate in our breeding programme, the difference in both mares and foals has been remarkable,” says Breeder Kraai Kamffer. “Our mares carry healthier pregnancies and produce foals that are stronger at birth, with noticeable bone and muscle density. The foals are heavier without being oversized, and they have so much more vitality from day one. The quality of the mares’ milk has also improved, which means fewer issues with scours and foals that grow brighter and stronger in those crucial first weeks.”
FORMULATED TO GIVE MARES THE BIOLOGICAL SUPPORT THEY NEED
The natural demands of foaling season
The period from late pregnancy through early lactation is one of the most demanding phases of a mare’s life. Her nutritional needs rise sharply as she prepares for foaling and then produces milk for her newborn. This requires not only more calories but also higher levels of essential minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Digestive health becomes even more important during this time. Any disruption to gut function can quickly impact milk quality, body condition, and the mare’s ability to recover after birth. Stress levels can also rise due to foaling, changes in management, weather variations, or the introduction of new routines. A stressed mare is more susceptible to health challenges, and her foal’s temperament and resilience can be influenced by her own wellbeing.
Vermate Magic
Vermate is formulated to give mares the biological support they need at this crucial time. It combines a diverse probiotic profile with naturally occurring humates, which include both humic and fulvic acids. These components work together to create a balanced gut environment, improve nutrient absorption, and support overall resilience.
Supporting Digestive Balance
The probiotic blend in Vermate helps restore a rich, natural diversity of gut microbes. This improves digestion and nutrient uptake, which is vital when the mare’s body is under increased demand. A stable gut environment also helps prevent digestive upsets that can occur with feed changes or lush spring grazing.
Improving Mineral Availability
Humates in Vermate act as natural chelators, binding to minerals and making them more bioavailable. This supports strong skeletal development in foals and maintains the mare’s own bone density and hoof health. It also ensures that the nutrients from pasture and feed are used more efficiently.
Increasing Fertility and Healthy Gestation
Vermate improves the fertility of mares and stallions, making conception more reliable. Once pregnant, mares benefit from improved nutrient transfer, which helps foals develop more robustly in the womb. Foals are typically born stronger, with increased bone and muscle density. They are heavier without being oversized, which reduces stress during delivery and sets them up for a stronger start to life.
Superior Milk Quality
The benefits continue after birth. Vermate contributes to higher quality milk, providing foals with a better nutritional profile in their earliest and most important weeks of growth. Breeders often see fewer issues with scours or diarrhea in young foals, thanks to the improved balance of the mare’s milk.
Reducing Stress
Late pregnancy, foaling, and early lactation are naturally stressful. The bioactive compounds in Vermate help modulate the body’s stress response, reducing the production of cortisol and adrenaline. This helps mares remain calmer, which in turn supports better milk let-down and creates a calmer environment for the foal.
Aiding Recovery and Performance
For mares that return to light work after foaling, Vermate continues to be an asset. It supports oxygen delivery, aids the breakdown of lactic acid, and helps the body recover from exertion more quickly. This makes it easier for mares to maintain condition and soundness while still nurturing a young foal.
Using Vermate through the foaling timeline
| Phase | Recommended Usage | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Breeding & Conception | Begin daily maintenance dose prior to covering and continue through early pregnancy. | Improve conception outcomes in mares and stallions. Support embryo development, healthy gestation, and stronger foetal growth with increased bone and muscle density. |
| 2 Weeks Pre-Foaling | Continue daily maintenance dose (via feed or water) for at least 14 days before foaling. | Establish gut and mineral balance before the foal arrives. Prepare mare for parturition and enhance vitality in the newborn foal. |
| Foaling & Early Lactation | Maintain dosing. Increase slightly if stress, travel, or management changes occur. | Support smoother foaling, lactation demands, and early bonding. Foals are born stronger, with better weight, vitality, and reduced scours thanks to superior milk quality. |
| Spring Grazing Season | Maintain dosing to take full advantage of lush pasture quality. | Ensure efficient nutrient absorption and balance. Strengthen immune support and reduce digestive upsets during high-fibre intake. |
| Transition to Light Work | Continue Vermate daily for recovery, stamina, and resilience. | Aid the mare’s return to condition post-foaling. Support energy, stress buffering, and smooth transition into a new work routine while maintaining milk quality. |
More than just a supplement
Vermate does not mask problems. It works from the inside out, addressing the root needs of digestion, fertility, mineral balance, and stress control. In many ways, it recreates the benefits mares would have found naturally in a more rugged, mineral-rich environment. The result is a healthier mare, a stronger foal, and a smoother foaling season.
Join the shift
South Africa’s foaling season is a time of opportunity, but also a time of high demand on mares. By introducing Vermate into the feeding plan before foaling and continuing through lactation, breeders can help ensure their mares cope with the pressures of the season and pass on the best start in life to their foals.
With Vermate, you are not just supporting a single event in the breeding calendar. You are investing in the long-term health, fertility, and performance of both mares and foals.
