Feed for Mini Foals

[kat2290]

Sorry I know threads about what to feed are really annoying but I could do with some advice!

My two Mini's are 6months old, live out 24/7 and are doing well. I want to make sure they are getting adequate nutrition in their diet but I am not that clued up about what exactly they need. At this age what vit/mins are important and how do I ensure they are getting them without giving them a load of calories which they don't need? Up until now they have been getting D&H natives foal mix but I would like to bring them off this as I don't think it is ideal for them.

If you were me, what would you be feeding them?

 

[Bobbly]

When we bought our two were advised to give them A&P Fast Fibre as they require liquid in their tiny systems to help push it all through and clean water to drink. Now they get a tiny feed of FF and dried grass, hi fi lite, a single handful of nuts and a scoop of 365 complete supplement between them at night, plus hay, they both live in together at night. They are mini horses not mini shetties though. Also were told not to worm them with the long lasting wormers such as equest as they don't have the fat reserves to store it in (Not sure about that with my little puddings!)

 

[MrsElle]

My mini Shet foal gets grass and a vit/mineral lick.

That's all

I am evidently very, very cruel

 

[Bobbly]

My mini Shet foal gets grass and a vit/mineral lick.

That's all

I am evidently very, very cruel

Hell no! I am not anywhere near cruel enough, hence two puddings! (Mind you, one is called Peaches n Cream!)

 

[kat2290]

Thanks for the replies
Ahhhh there is just so much conflicting advice out there I just end up bamboozled!

Anyone else want to add their 2p's worth to confuse me further?!!

 

[widget]

Mine get happy hoof and vit and min block

 

[misst]

Kat2290 how dare you post about minis and not put some proper pictures up
I have no advice about feeding but would like some gratuitous pictures of anyones minis

 

[kat2290]

Sorry mist! I'm on my phone just now but I'll update thread with some pics later on

 

[misst]

I will keep an eye out thank you

 

[kat2290]

So as not to disappoint...

Have posted these images fairly recently in another post so apologies if people are bored of seeing them
And just to add that the weather here has been appauling recently hence why they are looking so scruffy!

 

[_HP_]

My mini Shet foal gets grass and a vit/mineral lick.

That's all

I am evidently very, very cruel

This... supplemented by hay/haylage if required.

IF they need any extra then Fast Fibre is great.

 

[_HP_]

Cute..

Keep it simple...thats my advice.

My friends shows and breed shetlands and she doesn't feed as a rule. Hers live in herd's and are only fed when required ie hay/haylage through winter...but have access to mineral licks.

My 2 shetlands are in a small paddock with little grass and so have hay most of the year plus a feed of Fast Fibre...treat native ponies as potential laminitics...low sugar feeds (if any)

 

[Bobbly]

My girls went from this...

through first clip...

to this now...

and this one from this...

first clip...

to this now...

 

[misst]

Yea
Not boring at all.

I think they look very unhappy and in need of some attention so please post them to me immediately. Perhaps you will be my secret santa and send them for Christmas

On a serious note can I ask if they have a "purpose" other than cuteness and if you have any plans for them.

Thanks

 

[misst]

Bobbly please tell me about yours too. I have a bit of a yen for getting a mini or three. I no longer ride and they appeal as an outlet for horsiness without the need for riding.

 

[kat2290]

Sorry but you won't be receiving any shetland shaped parcels this year
No they have no purpose for now apart from something cute to look at in our field! Possibly try a couple of local shows when they are older just for a bit of fun, but nothing too serious!

 

[kat2290]

Gorgeous bobbly! I love seeing pics of other people mini's

 

[misst]

Shame

I am really getting keen on the idea and maybe next year might look into getting a couple. You say yours are Shetlands where as to my untrained eye Bobblys look more mini horse?
Are one type more difficult to look after or have more special needs than the other? My daughter had a very naughty shettie on loan many many years ago. He was such a character.

 

[MrsElle]

Bobbly please tell me about yours too. I have a bit of a yen for getting a mini or three. I no longer ride and they appeal as an outlet for horsiness without the need for riding.

You should definately get some. The more the merrier

I got two as companions for the big uns (they came as a pair). I then 'somehow' managed to aquire two more.......

They are highly addictive little chaps and chapess', and we intend to get out to some shows next season.

I was going to sell my foal once weaned, but not sure I can. She is so darned cute, but can be a typical ginger witch too - this is when she is being sold, then she comes up to me when I am sat on the floor, lies down beside me and lays her head in my lap and goes to sleep. How can you sell a sweetie like that?

Go on, buy some, you know you want to

 

[misst]

I think I will Mrs Elle I am really getting the bug now and starting to look into the whole idea. I am hoping to move house in the next 2 months and then my daughter needs to get her youngster fully backed and maybe sold and then ...... minis here we come!! I hope.

 

[Bennions Field]

I've got two, originally brought as a mare with 3 month old foal as companions to my original mini, sadly I lost him two years ago due to cushings and 2 episodes of laminitus - despite my and my vets best efforts to keep it under control

I still have the mare and foal, though the foal is now 7 ! plan was to put them on loan but no one wanted them as a pair, could never sell them as i saved them from the meatman, the foal had wonky legs, and still has, but doesn't stop her doing anything !!!!! gallops as fast as the big horses given the opportunity to escape into the big field

they are kept on around 1/2 acre 12 months of the year (i poo pick 2 x daily), they get hay twice a day in winter and once a day in summer, and in the worst of the weather they have a half scoop of readygrass/unmollased sugar beet each - nothing else. weight wise, they are about right, its easier to put on than take off !!! I did break the mom into harness and drove her for a bit but she didnt really enjoy it so they are both field ornaments now and very happy!

picture taken couple of weeks ago, daisy is the grey (mom) and maisie is the brown (black) one, this is the gateway to my yard, they do have a little more grass on their paddock

 

[kat2290]

Shame

I am really getting keen on the idea and maybe next year might look into getting a couple. You say yours are Shetlands where as to my untrained eye Bobblys look more mini horse?
Are one type more difficult to look after or have more special needs than the other? My daughter had a very naughty shettie on loan many many years ago. He was such a character.

You should definitely get some, I'm not biased at all but they are the BEST! My two have been an asbolute dream to look after so far, and have got soo much personality - they are both totally different but equally lovable. My new favourite ever thing is to watch them hooning about in the field, there is something about the way they gallop that is just so comical - probably something to do with how short their legs are! Have been trying to get it on vid but they aren't cooperating!

Honestly, GET SOME! You'll be smitten

 

[Bobbly]

Bobbly please tell me about yours too. I have a bit of a yen for getting a mini or three. I no longer ride and they appeal as an outlet for horsiness without the need for riding.

They are both British Miniature Horse Society registered, 18 months old, the cream and white filly has both Shetland and Toyhorse grand parents and is by a BMHS stallion Asils Picasso. If she were 16 hands she would be a sports horse, fearless and naughty and very fast! She is aloof, cheeky, stroppy sometimes but at 27inches she is very cute!
Her friend is half American bred, dilute buckskin with spotting characteristics (which are now emerging as gold spots) and striped feet, by GLS Incredibles Danny Boy and she is very similar to him, out of a Kilverstone bred mare that is varnished roan. She would probably be a diva if full size, dinky action, but she is a total drama queen, quite bossy and greedy but much more people orientated than her mate. Has a finer coat but her mane refuses to be anywhere near as abundant as the other filly. She is slightly taller at 30 inches. Both are sedated to be clipped as the vibration on such tiny bones must feel weird and of course they have to be clipped all over head to toe. Feet wise they tend to grow slipper shaped feet if not kept correctly trimmed. Being mini's they do require equally as much attention as any other horse, and give you back ache to boot, their internal systems need moisture in their feed to keep things moving, and certain wormers I'm told are unsuitable as they do not carry the same fat reserves as a native mini, though I would disagree with that theory looking at my two porkers!
We had them primarily as pets, they graze the lawn sometimes, though they have their own little paddock made of sheep hurdles so we can move them about as required, my partner does not ride but loves his 'girls' and is the reason they are too fat! (got to blame someone...). We walk them out like dogs, they do attract plenty of attention, and sometimes I take them to a little show for an outing. They are totally addictive but we will not be having anymore......will not have anymore...will not have anymore...unless we breed from them?...will not have anymore!!!

 

[varkie]

We breed mini shetlands, and with the youngsters (actually with adults too) as long as they are in good health they will be just fine as long as they have adlib access to hay or grass and get minerals daily in one form or another - a feed, a block - however you like. For a feed, most will be fine with just a handful of chop & a vit/min supplement. Some people like to bulk it out with sugar beet, and that's ok - but not necessary. It is important that they do get vit/min supplementation, as pretty much all grazing / hay is deficient in something!