Feeding my Yearling 19month old! Advice

[Englishcowgirl91]

Hey all,

Hoping this post get positive criticism and some advice.
So at new yard with my yearling 19th months old (temp stop gap) until he can go to another herd. in herd from 6 months old until now.
Previous place lost land so didn’t have a lot of time to find somewhere and most the youngstock liveries already has established herds.
He was also a colt, previous yard didn’t have facilities to have him castrated there so finding somewhere that would allow him to go there and be castrated was really hard! Luckily where I am now allowed him to go there to be castrated.
I am looking for a herd because at this age he really does need that.
Just wanted to give a break down so people know his situation as it’s been a long one to explain.

So anyway tonight went there to get in to feed and YO and another livery commented on the amounts of running around he was doing today. I’ve not had anyone tell me he’s been running around crazy before hand so assuming this is the first time he’s been this way.

Other times everyone has commented how unbothered and chilled in the field.

So anyway feed came up which I know can impact behaviour and make them High energy and yes he’s been abit full of himself walking to and from the field but all he’s on his D&H suregrow, I was told by one of their nutritionist that it was good and most people I’ve heard comment about it being good.

He gets the D&H, his hay, grass and water.
He gets the min amount think 200g per 100kg weight, vet said he’s about 400kg..

Protein is high in D&H

Any advice I feel I’ve just doubted everything I’ve given.
Yo Told me he’s getting to much protein. Take hay away strip the feed and the livery said you woulsnt feed a young horse a balancer, she said she’s worked In a racing yard and knows

I don’t know what to think half the time

 

[Pink Gorilla]

Something has probably spooked him, especially if he's not got the security of a herd at the moment. It sounds as though your feed is fine. I wouldn't restrict hay or strip graze, as the lack of forage to occupy him will most likely just make him worse. My yearling has days when he's a spooky tool and I've no idea why. Usually something out of routine, or a loud noise, or upcoming storm unsettles him for a couple of days. I don't know why your YO thinks his protein is too high. All nutritionists I've spoken to say to give them a youngstock balancer (which are higher in protein because they NEED that) and ad lib hay for the first 24 months.

 

[Widgeon]

I feed mine Suregrow, although not as much as the bag says (do they think I'm made of money?!). Like you, it was what everyone recommended to me for babies. There is no way I would take the hay away unless he's visibly getting fat, surely that will just make him more grumpy and stressed.

It definitely sounds like it's his situation that's bothering him, not his feed. Have you found a new herd for him? If not would you consider sending him further away for "proper" youngstock livery, so you only have to visit occasionally? Sorry if you've already covered all this, I have a feeling you have on another thread. It all sounds a bit rubbish for both of you, particularly with all the unwanted opinions.