Feeding youngsters for growth?

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SpruceRI

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I have a 4yr old Welsh cob mare and someone has suggested that I feed her a youngstock mix for at least another year to help her grow upwards rather than outwards.

Isn't it too late for that?

Has she not reached her adult height already? and will just muscle up and fill out?

My other Welsh Cob mare didn't grow much after 3yrs old.

What youngstock feed would you suggest? she had low-cal hard feed over the winter, and now is just on grass.

Thanks
 
The majority of 'youngstock feeds' require feeding at fairly high quantities; And it would be unwise to feed your 4 year old mare the 'recommended' levels of these feeds as she wont require the amount of calories they provide, nor the high protein levels in them. But at the same time, no point in using them at all, if you are not going to feed them at the recommended levels. You will just be providing your mare an 'unbalanced' diet.

If you're concerned, there may be more sense feeding your mare a 'stud balancer' - like D&H Suregrow or Bailey's Stud Balancer. Many people do use these for older animals. Say, 500g per day with chaff. It would provide a balanced combination of vits/minerals and bit of quality protein. She wouldn't over top on that feed, and my mature horses look great on it.

If she is going to grow any more, she will regardless of what you feed her at this stage. Your best bet is to continue to ensure she receives a balanced high fibre diet, and to provide a comprehensive range of vits/mins either through a good multi-purpose supplement or a feed balancer.

Avoid the youngstock mixes and yearling/stud cubes, etc.
 
Thanks for the reply Spyda.

I'd rather go down the Vits and Mins route rather than a 'feed' as she looks very well at the mo, and has the right amount of energy for one so young.

I don't want her fat or explosive
smirk.gif
 
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