Feeding a 2YO TB...

[Meeko]

Hi
I have already spoken to the majority of the feed nutritionist helplines, but id like to see what others actually feed...

Last week this 2 year old joined our family. She hasnt raced but has been race trained so is looking lean - (she will of course be turned away now to grow and mature)

She isnt on great grazing at the moment until she settles into her new surroudings, hopefully by next week she will have moved fields and I can get some decent grass into her.

She is out during the day 7am- 4pm, and on an evening stabled with adlib haylage, right now she is getting fed pink mash and alfa a oil twice a day until I figure out what to feed her.

Any helpful information is much appreciated, thanks

 

[TGM]

Our warmblood boy looked a bit like that when we bought him at 2yo. We just fed him a balancer, Speedibeet and ad lib haylage and he blossomed. I suspect you will find once she is on decent grass she will fill out without too much additional hard feed, especially now she is no longer in work.

 

[Meeko]

Our warmblood boy looked a bit like that when we bought him at 2yo. We just fed him a balancer, Speedibeet and ad lib haylage and he blossomed. I suspect you will find once she is on decent grass she will fill out without too much additional hard feed, especially now she is no longer in work.

Did you feed a youngstock feed or just a general balancer? Thanks

 

[TheMule]

I would stick to what you're doing but maybe add in a mineral supplement or a decent balancer. I wouldn’t try to add too many calories as she is not far off where you want her weight wise and she will let down quite quickly and naturally gain weight.

 

[TGM]

Did you feed a youngstock feed or just a general balancer? Thanks

Just a general balancer.

 

[milliepops]

My 3yo TB is getting a youngstock balancer but that's because he and my yearling eat together and neither can stick with the same bucket, so they have to eat the same things They usually have slightly higher levels of vits/mins and the one I use also has mycosorb in which most normal balancers don't, and pre/probiotics.

 

[teddy_]

The TopSpec Stud or Lite balancers are great, they might seem on the pricey side but definitely work out cost effective .

TopSpec also do a high fibre mash which is low in calories if you wanted to add some volume to her feeds, I know mine go wild for their hard feed (buckets flying through the air) so feel a bit mean just giving them a cup of balancer!

 

[windand rain]

Suregrow, grass nuts soaked, grass chaff and linseed standard feed for my youngsters from TB to Welshies just varying amounts for need. turned out 24/7 on foggage and the youngsters have a bit more than the oldies will put hay out if needed but never had to yet until March

 

[TPO]

I'd stick with what you are doing (*although maybe review the alfa) and add a good spec of vit/min supplement or balancer.

Personally I can't see past Progressive Earth Pro Balance. I add a bit of magnesium spring until after autumn flush too. I also feed salt daily.

* some people have reported their horses being sensitive to alfa and it causing all sorts of issues. Personally I've never had a problem with it but it might be something to keep in mind. Having said that I use Dengie Meadow Grass chaff and it is alfa free.

My ex racers have all done really well on Pink Mash despite it being a lower calorie feed than speedibeet ??‍ it does appear in my experience (of only 6 horses fed it) to be a good feed for horses who might have been a bit compromised/"ulcery"/need a bit "more" from a feed without fizz

ETA I chuck in a bit of micronised linseed too

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I wouldn't really change what you are feeding to be honest. Linseed is good for weight gain and coat shine when fed in the right quantities. I personally feed Suregrow to my youngsters but if your grass and haylage are of good quality you probably won't necessarily need a balancer or added extras.

Time will be your biggest friend.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would just feed a good balancer or mineral supplement I feed the progressive earth ones with a basic grass chaff and spillers speedy mash literally a few handfuls of each.

I don't have young TB horses I have older Arab's but they are hot bloods so I would feed them basically the same, they do well on it as both mine have been sensitive to some feeds, alfalfa molasses and top spec sent them nuts so I avoid those and feed a very basic diet.

 

[Meeko]

I'd stick with what you are doing (*although maybe review the alfa) and add a good spec of vit/min supplement or balancer.

Personally I can't see past Progressive Earth Pro Balance. I add a bit of magnesium spring until after autumn flush too. I also feed salt daily.

* some people have reported their horses being sensitive to alfa and it causing all sorts of issues. Personally I've never had a problem with it but it might be something to keep in mind. Having said that I use Dengie Meadow Grass chaff and it is alfa free.

My ex racers have all done really well on Pink Mash despite it being a lower calorie feed than speedibeet ??‍ it does appear in my experience (of only 6 horses fed it) to be a good feed for horses who might have been a bit compromised/"ulcery"/need a bit "more" from a feed without fizz

ETA I chuck in a bit of micronised linseed too

Alfa has been recommended by every feed company nutritionist I have spoken with, although I do understand the issues it may have caused other horses, ill see how she goes on it.

My other mare - a good doer - gets fed progressive earth pro balance.

 

[AmyMay]

Alfa has been recommended by every feed company nutritionist I have spoken with, although I do understand the issues it may have caused other horses, ill see how she goes on it.

My other mare - a good doer - gets fed progressive earth pro balance.

I love Alfa, and have always fed it without problem.

 

[TPO]

I've never had an issue either but it does seem to be a common problem on here ??‍

 

[NinjaPony]

Alfa is great if it works for the horse. I fed my Connie Alfa-a molasses free for years and it was just the right amount of energy/condition without fizz when he was in work.

 

[milliepops]

all of mine except one are fine on alfalfa. but as they share chaff i don't feed it to any

 

[Meeko]

Thanks everyone, all very helpful. Ill leave her on her pink mash and alfa for now and get a balancer into her, see how she goes the next few month

 

[Meeko]

A 3 week up date from day 1 when I got her and 3 weeks later. A shame she is wet from the rain but we can see she is starting to fill out nicely