Feeding my two year old - question?

[Rudey]

All through winter I have fed Rox (coloured in siggy) on D&H mare and youngstock mix, equilibra and graze on. My mix has nearly ran out, and I have still got some equilibra left. He turned two on the 2nd April. We have very good summer grazing and he holds his weight well (TB x Cob).

Would you continue to feed the youngstock mix? What age would you stop feeding a youngstock mix? The following link is what I have been using, http://www.dodsonandhorrell.com/products/horse-ranges/breeding/mare-youngstock-mix.html and that recommends to use it until they are 3. My only thoughts are that we have really great grazing - I didn't want to over feed him and effect his joints.

I was intending on keeping the equilibra in his system throughout summer, just a small amount regardless. My friend has never bothered feeding any of hers she bred with a youngstock feed, just used a normal pony mix.

Opinions would be appreciated please, as I am really in two minds about it! Thanks in anticipation! xx

 

[scribble]

I brought my mare last yr as a just turned 2 yr old from the stud and they feed all thiers on just a basic course mix and access to vit licks and good grass.

 

[eggs]

I give my foals and yearling stud cubes. When they are two I tend to put them onto fibre cubes with Alfa A and a vit/min supplement. I don't want them carrying too much weight as youngsters.

 

[Spyda]

I've been breeding for 20+ years now and currently have a big home bred youngster who'll be three on 8th May. I feed her Bailey's Stud Balancer (or sometimes, D&H Sure Grow pellets) as a 'base feed' year round; and only feed one of those in summer when she's out on the good grass. Being low-cal neither over-top them, but ensure they get the vits, mins and quality protein they need to maintain healthy growth. You only need to feed a very small amount and both are very good value.

If you don't require the additional protein of the pelleted products, D&H produce Sure Limb, a useful powder supplement you can add to a small amount of chaff or hard food. It's designed specifically for youngsters and will ensure your chap continues to get all the vits and mins he needs.

I know a lot of people don't believe in feeding 2yr+ youngsters anything special once they reach that age, but I prefer to err on the side of caution and ensure my youngsters aren't deficient in anything nutritionally. And to my credit, my youngsters always look outstanding. My current filly looks outstandingly better compared to those youngsters she's wintering out with who haven't had anything special feed wise - just oats, sugar beet and chaff (old school feeding method).

I've been exclusively breeding for some time now and have kept all my horses (young and old) on a base feed of Bailey's Stud Balancer or Sure Grow; using linseed meal/sugar beet/chaff/ Pasture Mix/Conditioning cubes, in winter, as specifically required by the individuals.