Correct feed to make height

[mandy4727]

I may have already posted this. And if I have I apologise in advance. But I cant find it anywhere.

I have a 4 year old welsh section d mare. She is 14.3hh at the mo. As I am quite tall would like her to end up as big as What feed brands and selection would people recommend I feed her on. On Doc Green (grass) at the mo with no hard feed but only just backed her so now work done yet.

 

[touchstone]

I'm afraid that if you try to feed her to grow as big as possible you risk severely damaging her joints.

Let her grow naturally and slowly, a balancer such as suregrow may be useful, but if she won't make the height you expect then you may need to consider purchasing a different horse.

 

[mandy4727]

Thanks Touchstone. Just the sort of answer I was looking for. Of course wouldnt dream of ruining her. Just want to give her the best chance if I can.

 

[meesha]

Ring a couple of feed helplines, top spec were great when I rang them. They can advise what balancer or supplement may be appropriate. As she matures and fills out she will feel bigger as she will take up your leg more even if she doesn't grow height wise much, though would suspect she might shoot up an inch or two!

 

[mandy4727]

Meesha. Right answer. Want to keep her really as cant fault her so far and had her a year. Tried to email Top Spec but laptop wont let me, quite like their products from past experiences with other horses. Will try and email from work on Monday. That pc may let me.

 

[foxy1]

What height are you hoping she might make?

 

[scribble]

she will have done 3/4 of her growing by now. there was an article and study done with a lot of horses where they gave bare minimum in one group and in another group they had whatever they wanted and as much as they wanted. turns out that growth and final height is not hugely determined by feed, yes they obv need the protein vit, min etc to grow but you dont need to pump them and it is genetically predetermined.

 

[mandy4727]

foxy1. Would love her to make 15.1hh. 14.3 at mo and I have heard Ds grow until they are 6 years of age. Hope so. She will probably chunk up some more which wll take up some of my height I hope.

 

[CBFan]

She won't finish growing til she is 7 or 8 years of age. You can't force this or speed this up without asking for problems. I will eat my hat if she doesn't grow another 2 inches in the next 3 years. Please don't feed her ridiculous feeds. She simply doesn't need it. Hay and a basic unmollassed chaff with a vitamin and mineral supplement added is all she needs. Being a welshie she will more than likely be prone to weightgain and at risk of lami. Don't ruin your lovely youngster before her life has even begun...

 

[foxy1]

foxy1. Would love her to make 15.1hh. 14.3 at mo and I have heard Ds grow until they are 6 years of age. Hope so. She will probably chunk up some more which wll take up some of my height I hope.

Being a Welsh D she ought to keep growing upwards and fill out for a while longer. I wouldn't try to feed her up, will cause her all sorts of health problems.

 

[Tnavas]

Her height is genetic so will not be affected by feed but the quality of her growth will be.

Most important for her is to receive the vitamins and minerals she needs to improve the quality of bone and connective tissue.

Good grass and a Grass Balancer should be sufficient.

 

[windand rain]

She will only get as big as her genetics make her and of course how well fed she has been all her life deprived as a youngster she will likely be smaller overfed and forced taller but weaker jointed so I am afraid she will be as she will be Mine grew to 148 cm at 2 and hasnt budged a millimeter since but she was out of a 148 mare by a 143 stallion so genetically she made what would be her full height
How much she fills out and takes up the leg will also depend on her genetic frame bug boned and deep girthed take up a lot of leg and of course light of bone and narrow barrelled less leg take up
So to get the best out of her a good high protein, high fibre feed with added oil if she needs extra weight

 

[mandy4727]

Fantastic advice from all concerned. Thanks very much and will keep you posted how she ends up.

 

[scribble]

just to give you an idea as to how vague it can be my retired showjumper who was warmblood was 17.1. his mother was 15.2 and dad was 16.1. my mare is 16.3 her mum was 17 hand and dad 16.3.

 

[Moomin1]

Feed companies really do have a lot to answer for IMO.

No youngster should be 'fed' to attempt to make desired height/build. (I don''t mean this to get at you OP - you are clearly wanting to do what's best for your horse by asking for advice, and accepting it!). Yes, echo what others have said, the correct amount of protein, minerals/vits should be given to maintain healthy body condition whilst growing, but other than that it should be left to nature (which it will to a certain extent through genetics as mentioned). Too many people bulk their horses (particularly Sec D's) up to put them into 'desirable' build ie crest size, show condition etc. (Not you OP, just saying in general).

It sounds like you care for your horse a tremendous amount OP, and it's nice to see how much you have taken the good advice above on board.