Another feeding/supplement question whilst I remember-feeding 2yo warmbloods?

becca1305

becca1305

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Not to jinx anything *please!!* as I'm having a 2yo hanoverian filly vetted tomorrow but thinking I need to know the answer!

Essentially.... what do you feed them?! I did a little google but not much came up tbh except about feeding yearlings and about OCD *gulp*. Filly is 2 1/2 yrs old and up to now has been living out in fields with lots of other youngsters and a few oldies to keep the rabble in line! I know they get given some hay in big feeders too but Im pretty sure they arent fed anything else. If she comes home to me however her routine will change and she will only be out from 8.30am to 4pmish through winter so her feeding regime will have to change. My others (older) have a mix of hay and haylage weighing about 12kg to keep them going from when they come in until they go out - their weights pretty perfect and theres usually nothing left.

So my questions to anyone who has had (warmblood) youngsters! -
Does it matter if you feed hay or haylage?
How much do you feed? - shes 16.2hh (already!) and a modern type hanoverian with long leggys.
Do you give any hard feed? if so what and in what quantities?
Should I be feeding any supplements?

Im probably worrying for nothing and its all common sense but I thought had better make sure as I dont want to make any mistakes. Ive had youngsters and unbacked horses before but no younger than 4yos. I ordered 3 books which are meant to cover birth to backing, handling the young horse etc but 1 hasnt arrived and the other 2 dont mention feeding in any useful detail (hay/haylage or hard feed).

Feeding advice from those with experience of feeding youngsters appreciated :)
 
BUMP :) oooo i'd be interested in some advice on hard feed and suplerments too. I have a warmblood X cob, 2years 5 months and a VERY good dooer.
 
glad to know Im not the only non-expert in feeding! :). But it appears all of the youngster-experienced lot have vanished. May repost in comp riders or something as she is destined to be a comp horse *fingers crossed* ;)
 
Ok I claim to know nothing, I feed mine mare and Youngstock, and chaf, last year my warmblood was also on build and glow as he was so poor, I will be feed hay in the field this year as they are all staying out, they also have a lick in the field, I have moved to fields with really good grass in the last month as well. My friesians will get less than the wb and my welsh foals less.
 
I looked at baileys stud balancer but on the website it only shows the table of how much you should feed of up to 24month old youngsters and then after that it gives quantities for broodmares. So I didnt know if you should feed it to youngsters over the age of 2? (Im pretty clueless about feed tbh!).

Ahh fab Dodson and Horrells Mare and Youngstock looks perfect and is for 1-3 year olds :) thankyou bugbee; sounds brill as I think she is going to hold weight well looking at her and if she doesnt can look for a pasture mix or similar.

Thanks all :). Relieving to know Im not supposed to be feeding some *super supplement* ! :)
 
I have spoken to Baileys about feeding balancers a few times, most recently at YHL. They said there is no reason not to stay on Stud Balancer instead of changing to Lo-Cal. Giving just 2 mugs a day should give all vits & mins.
 
thought that would be the case tbh :) one of those exactly the same products with a different bag title! I currently feed Baileys Local balancer so could always pop her on that.

PS thanks good to know they say 2 mugs a day as the info on stud balancer would be for up to 24months old and lo-cal balancer reckons based on weight my current lot should be fed 4 mugs daily. I reckon youngster will be almost same weight as my mare how heavy is yours approx if you dont mind me asking? as Baileys say 2 mugs daily is enough :)
 
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Approx 500kg for my rising 3 yr old, he is on two mugs and will stay on that amount. The only difference really is price, Stud is £5 a bag cheaper, its all about keeping costs down for Studs apparently.
 
Whatever you do, please make sure you do not over feed it full of anything.
It is a warmblood and they are notorious for getting bad joints/lameness as they mature if they are overfed as youngsters. You don't want it looking like a bullock, you just need to feel her ribs so don't be feeding anything that will pile the weight on.

You could try D & H Suregrow if you want a small pellet feed which has everything balanced so that you don't need to feed anything else with it other than forage whether that be hay or haylage or grass. If you only want to feed a chaff then you could try their Surelimb which is a powdered supplement. Both of those are made for growing youngsters and stud stock.
If you want Baileys then I would suggest their Lo-Cal rather than their stud balancer but the best thing you can do is ring both helplines for the right advice.

Just please, don't let her get too heavy for her limbs and remember she'll not be fully matured until about six at the earliest so don't go pushing her too early as her body won't be ready for it. It's no coincidence that so many young dressage horses break down so early because of the training they have on immature bodies and limbs; if you want her to last, take it slowly for her sake.
 
Yeah I know with warmbloods you have to be exceptionally careful as they are more prone to joint issues and particularly as shes a big lass excess weight would be even worse. I was planning on feeding the smallest amount possible just wanted to make sure I wasnt missing anything important like for instance a joint supplement- sounds silly I know but like I say not had a warmblood before so thought I had better check! I like the sound of the D&H Suregrow you suggested best now (found it on their website :) - for youngsters who dont need extra calories in their diet, added biotin (good as shes obviously barefoot though her feet look pretty decent), bone and joint care package to help control growth rates and support correct skeletal developments, digestive health, immune support package and coat hoof and condition :) PERFECT :). thankyou. Im not sure again however about their quantities listed as shes quite a tall lady already and they have listed 3/4 stubbs scoop per day for 500kg "broodmare" but as a big youngster I will imagine she will already weigh heavy. Think I will ring them and ask the minimum I could feed for her to still get the vits and minerals she needs out of it as I dont want to give her any more calories than necessary :) Edit- spoke to the lady at D & H and she says I would need to feed recommended amounts but if she put on weight I could swap to a balancer. Ho hum I dont know whether to just start on a balancer now and then go onto Suregrow if she needs it!
 
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