BIG youngster

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diluteherd

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I have a 15hh colt who will be a year in a couple of weeks.

2 scenarios ...

What would you be feeding him if you had poor grazing?

What would you be feeding him when on a lush green meadow?

Like to compare what I feed and plan on feeding against what all you guys think... :)

Also.. how would you address moving him from being on poor grazing with ad lib haylage to fresh lush meadow grass . Would you let him on there and just deal with a sqirty bottom?
 
Poor grazing - good quality hay ad-lib and vit n min supp mixed in with alfalfa pellets, soaked.

Lush green meadow - mineral lick & salt lick (what my baby gets but is not a giant like yours... 15hh yearling????.... wow)
 
agree 15hh yearling, that's likely to make 17hh plus! My youngster grew from 14.2 as a yearling to 16.2 as a current 3 year old!!

Anyway regarding feed.... poor grazing as above, adlib hay and vitamin and mineral lick or supplement. Lush grazing, access to a vitamin and mineral lick or supplement given in a handful of chaff.
 
i have the same, shes 15.1 at wither and 15.2 at the bum, and will be 1 in 3 weeks. Shes not given any feed at all, ad lib hayalge and OK grazing, plus a few carrots. She came out of the winter quite ribby but is starting to fill out a little. Never expected one so big, as her mum is only 15.3.

On my, you reckon 17hds when fully grown. Pants.
 
Youngsters require a higher nutrition amount until they are 2 years of age when their nutritional requirements decrease.

If I was you, rather than ask people on here I would contact a feed company to get expert advice as noone can recommend anything to you accurately as you haven't said what the colts condition is and what feed he is currently on. If he isn't on any or much feed at the mo a stud balancer would be the best option but you would need to feed at least 1.5kg per day.

I wouldn't just feed a mineral lick as you cannot guarantee that they are using it, a balancer is a far better option in my opinion.

But, as I said, call a feed company as they will give you expert advice.
 
On poor grazing I would feed add lib hay with a broad spec/ youngstock vit and min supplement in a handfull of unmollassed chaff. This is more than enough for any youngster - even a poor one. If your youngster is at all rotund I would reduce the amount of hay.

On good grazing I would drop the haylage. I would introduce him to good grazing VERY slowly. Not only is squitty bottom unhealthy and probably painful for the horse, such a sudden change in diet could induce a huge growth spurt and growth related disorders such as phsyitis and OCD which are prevalent amongst large, fast growing babies.

I don't agree that the feed companies are the best to speak to. They will just try and sell you their product.
 
Trot_On_Dressage said:
Youngsters require a higher nutrition amount until they are 2 years of age when their nutritional requirements decrease.

If I was you, rather than ask people on here I would contact a feed company to get expert advice as noone can recommend anything to you accurately as you haven't said what the colts condition is and what feed he is currently on. If he isn't on any or much feed at the mo a stud balancer would be the best option but you would need to feed at least 1.5kg per day.

I wouldn't just feed a mineral lick as you cannot guarantee that they are using it, a balancer is a far better option in my opinion.

But, as I said, call a feed company as they will give you expert advice.
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the last thing you want to give a tall growing fast youngster is a stud balancer if anything a low cal balancer as this is screaming ocd to me please be careful feeding big youngsters as not worth the risk. Oh and the feed nutritionist recommend far to much feeding trust me i have had a bad experience because of it
 
Sorry CBFan I disagree. Yes a feed company is there to sell its products BUT are nutritionally trained and will be able to accurately recommend the best products for the OP's horse based on scientific evidence and research not just on what someone on a forum thinks is best when they may not understand nutrition at all.

I have worked for a feed company in the past and I can assure you that they are not only about selling their product! Infact if we felt that they were feeding correctly with a rivals feed we would tell them it was perfect, they could change to our product if they wanted to but didnt have to! They will be able to make the correct recommendation and aslo provide the OP with information that will help her understand feeding/nutrition better. The company i worked for sent anyone mountains of leaflets/information to help educate them better in that area. The amount of horse owners who do not understand basic nutrition is shocking. You only have to go on here to see the amount of posts on feeding where the advice being given is very suspect.

OP contact a feed company for help and advice. If you don't like what they say don't follow their advice but you never know it might surprise you :)
 
Sorry Tikino that is utter nonsense! A stud balancer will not cause a horse to get OCD! I suspect you think protein causes it then by that reaction but that is a myth and an untrue one at that! A low cal balancer although has vits and mins will not have the levels of nutritional support that a growing horse requires.
 
Trot_On_Dressage said:
Sorry Tikino that is utter nonsense! A stud balancer will not cause a horse to get OCD! I suspect you think protein causes it then by that reaction but that is a myth and an untrue one at that! A low cal balancer although has vits and mins will not have the levels of nutritional support that a growing horse requires.
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oh well then both myself a long term breeder and my vet don't know what they are talking about i would never touch these type of feeds and i have starpping youngsters going on to do all 3 disciplines. big youngsters need a good multivit and adlib forage. That is why there is an incline in youngsters with ocd etc.
 
I am not knocking your experience but can assure you protein doesn't cause horses to get OCD! Starch is the general no no in feed. A balancer is low in starch and actually would be the best option in this case against the more traditional stud feed which will be higher in starch. Generally a stud balancer will be around 7% starch as opposed to a stud mix which is more around 20%+ which would be wrong in this instance. A stud balancer is to be fed at a reduced amount than a traditional stud feed too.

Funnily enough vets are not trained nutritionists. I wouldn't follow a vets advice on nutrition after speaking to many on the phone in past job advising THEM what their clients should be feeding! Some of them have no clue. This is getting better tho after they have realised and feed companies do talks for the vet students to train them in this field :)
 
tikino said:
oh well then both myself a long term breeder and my vet don't know what they are talking about i would never touch these type of feeds and i have starpping youngsters going on to do all 3 disciplines. big youngsters need a good multivit and adlib forage. That is why there is an incline in youngsters with ocd etc.
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Agree^^

I took advice from a feed company. Foal grew too fast got contracted tendons. Its taken 2 years but hes now fine. I as Tikino would only take advice now from Vet, and a friend of mine who owns a large professional stud. Had no issues with other foals since taking their advice
 
I had a big youngster too (he is now 18hh as a 6yro).

He was fed topspec and chaff as hard feed.

He was fed as much adlib haylage as he wanted.

I would be wary of putting a big youngster out onto very lush grazing as would be worried about growth spurts and OCD.

My boy didn't really look at all 'furnished' until last year- he had a good coat but was lean and you could see his ribs until he was 4-5yrs old; imo you have to accept that with big youngsters.

I think people can get too focussed on getting their youngsters well covered and looking like other people's youngsters.
With a horse who is going to be big especially, you can end up feeding huge amounts and still not getting the covering other people get.

I certainly would not be feeding 1.5kg of balancer to a youngster.
 
This is why I get so confused!! (grateful for opinions on this though so keep the opinions coming!! lol) I have spoken to many feed companies and they say the same feed at rate stated on the bag - none of them try and sell me their own product they recommend me different brands and what goes best with what etc..

I have also spoken to different people who say different things, the vet is coming out tomorrow, hopefully a nice one, so will get their opinion.. some who come out these days I only just about trust to do vaccinations!!

I have even spoken to a animal communicator - this is not a post on animal communicators though!! So shhh lol :p She said he wanted to detox, so i bought him some global herbs detox and amazingly I think he looks a lot better for it!

I think my next step really is to ask a nutritionist - might try my luck with writing in to a selection of horse mags - might get a bit of free advice if im lucky! lol ;)
 
millitiger said:
I had a big youngster too (he is now 18hh as a 6yro).

He was fed topspec and chaff as hard feed.

He was fed as much adlib haylage as he wanted.

I would be wary of putting a big youngster out onto very lush grazing as would be worried about growth spurts and OCD.

My boy didn't really look at all 'furnished' until last year- he had a good coat but was lean and you could see his ribs until he was 4-5yrs old; imo you have to accept that with big youngsters.

I think people can get too focussed on getting their youngsters well covered and looking like other people's youngsters.
With a horse who is going to be big especially, you can end up feeding huge amounts and still not getting the covering other people get.

I certainly would not be feeding 1.5kg of balancer to a youngster.
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have you got any pics i could look at of your youngster??
i have a youngster, 2 in july and he is standing at 16.1. He is 'lean'... ive always been told to keep him on the lighter side due to he's size and ive always done so. BUT he really has lost more condition. some people say he's looking good for a big youngster others say he's too skinny.. confused.com :-)
I have mine on ok grass, he comes in everyday for a net of haylage (as much as he wants to eat) and 2 feeds, which he has to have due to us reticently finding out he has a 'fast beat' in he's lower ventral so he has to be on medication.
You can feel his ribs, in some light you can see them and he's hippy. Ill add a pic but i dont think you can see much from this angle. Thanks :-)

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hpho...4023040484_757345483_23894440_855818365_n.jpg
Ignore the squares, there from he's ECG :-)
 
I'm not saying what's right or wrong, but bear in mind if u fed a dog the amount of dog food the dog feed companies recommend the nations dogs would all be obese..... My vet always says feed companies are there to sell feed. U should feed the animal u see, not the hypothetical one....
 
I have a Mare with OCD (diagnosed 12 months after getting her as a 10yo) and I have a 3yo big lad! So I have been doing my research!

I talked at length with my vet before buying my youngster, as I was paranoid about OCD - the owner gave us photos and detail of feed regime which was basically good grazing (not too much) adlib hay and very little else. He has been allowed to grow slowly and hadn't been given hard feed.

Vet and I talked about this...he said that the horses coat and condition were indicators of whether the horse was getting what he needs and that it was clear from previous photos and his current condition that he was doing well and that he had been allowed to grow slowly.

When I moved him to my yard he wa put on Top spec balancer lite with some haylage as our grazing is not good. We ensure he stays on the leaner side.

I think some vets know more about nutrition than others but I would still welcome their advice. A couple of people I know have had Spillers reps and Top spec to their yards and have been thoroughly impressed with their advice.
 
That's great diluteherd. A trained nutritionist is by far the best option :)

Ask them why they recommended the products they do and if they can send you some info if they have some.
 
karlene said:
have you got any pics i could look at of your youngster??
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At 6 months
226514_7737164151_611464151_475109_1825_n.jpg


At 18 months
225534_7737224151_611464151_475121_5855_n.jpg


At 30 months
2126_61030169151_611464151_2028163_6249_n.jpg


Last year as a 5yro
254520_10150309043094152_611464151_9819043_6466772_n.jpg


The 'baby' photos are quite flattering compared to what he looked like in the flesh and his huge winter coat makes him look like he is carrying more condition than he is.

I think your boy looks fine, particularly for this time of year, as with all of this rain the grass will start to pick up very soon.
I would try and get as much hay/haylage in him as possible though; Vinnie always had a pile of hay in front of him, even in the field and I think that makes a bigger difference than any hard feed or balancer.
 
Seeing as we are posting pictures I will be brave and show you my chappy... I might be brave enough to tell you what I feed him too...:eek:

IMG_9206.jpg


and him looking a little like a giraffe.. lol

IMG_9204.jpg
 
Well fwiw, my boy is standing at 15hh and was one yesterday. He is expected to make somewhere between 16.1 and 17hh but you never know! He is on sugar beet and Surelimb, 24 hour turnout and hay if it's cold and wet.

Personally I would not turn him out on lush grazing if possible; it just seems to be asking for all manner of trouble. If needs must, then I'd make sure some sheep or cattle went over it well first.
 
DH - i think he looks great, much better looking than my yearling.

Militiger - thats amazing to see the transformation over the years, gives me hope ! He really is a beauty.

I will follow suit, and be brave, heres my fugly yearling.

Shes 1 at the end of this month.


picture.php
 
fascinating reading the conflict of opinions and info on here, my youngster will be 3 in June, he had rapid growth spurts as a baby and I was worried about potential related problems, I tried him on fast fibre with a young stock supplement, but he hates sloppy food lol! So swapped to hi di lite and young stock supplement with ad Lib haylage, this suited his needs perfectly sustaining a suitable growth rate and condition without pushing him, for the past year he has been on Alfa oil, with the addition of sugar beet in the winter. He's now not far off 15.3 but has only grown about an inch in the last 9 months.
 
My young 'un is approx 14.2 at 11 months, and is currently on OK grazing during the day and in at night with ad lib hay.

He gets a small handful of mix (about 75g) with a youngstock supplement (30g) when he comes in from the field

 
Blimey

I feel like a bad mummy (well briefly). I don't feed my babies. They stay with mum and wean naturally (at about 1 year). They have ad-lib haylage and mineral lick. My now two year old was easily 15 hands as a yearling (never bred one so big and really worried now - presumed she'd make 16.2). I'd certainly never feed stud balancer or even hard feed as I used to own great danes and learned from that (how bad puppy food was for generating bone disorders like wobblers). Mine carry more condition than any of the photos though (all ID x TB in some proportion). I'm now on foal 4 and no problems
 
I can see where OP is coming from. I got very confused over feeding my weaned foal who is now 11 months. She is the first I have ever bred.

I spoke to Dodson and Horrell who were very helpful and gave me plenty of advice that didn't just include their products.

I then spoke to a stud that specialises in the same breed and was given exactly the same advice.

The feed company, the stud and my vet all insisted on keeping the filly on the leaner side and trying to keep growth even.

My filly is 14.3h, by RID out of a irish cob who has Shire in her. Stallion is 16.3, dam 15h. I weigh the filly regularly at the minute she is 320kg and is fed 600g of Dodson/Horrell Suregrow with a half measure for her size of Surelimb. This is split into 2 feeds and mixed with tiny handful of chaff and a splash of sugarbeet juice. She is in poor grazing and gets through 3 sections of good quality soaked hay at night as she is in due to waterlogging. She has wintered out on adlib haylage.

In midwinter she suddenly got fat, which we put down to a change of quality in the haylage, we cut it back a bit and she slimmed down again. At the moment her ribs are easily felt and can been seen when she is cantering about. I have no idea how big she will be when she is done - anybody got any thoughts ?

I will keep weighing her and adjust the suregrow accordingly and plan to get her out 24/7 as soon as we dry up. She will graze land that has been pulled off by the cattle and all being well will continue to grow slowly.

I think feeding horses is becoming ever more complicated and all the brands are pushing their product as a 'must' for our horses. I never used to be this complex !
 
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