Help with feeding a 'native' foal during the winter

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canteron

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Although an experienced horse owner, slightly to my surprise, I have a 6month old foal arriving in a month.

I keep my horses out with field shelters an over winter and those in work get a feed as well, which suits them well.

So, my question is, with a cob foal, if it has quality forage, will it need two feeds a day, or can it cope with one (they get hay put out twice a day). I am working on the premise that it will have to be good quality young stock food, so I am going to have to separate it out from the older 'do gooder' horses who I don't want to overfeed if it is another mild winter.

And how long do you have to supplementary feed a foal for.

I realise that this is a 'how long is a piece of string' question, but I would love your experiences.
 
I really wouldn't over do it, especially with a native/cob type.
Forage and a bit of youngstock balancer or chaff and vit/min powder(at the most, many wouldn't even do that!)
Once a day should be fine if has access to forage
 
My inclination with a native would be to give it plenty of forage, and not feed it any hard feed. They're designed to be self sufficient.
 
Auslander said:
My inclination with a native would be to give it plenty of forage, and not feed it any hard feed. They're designed to be self sufficient.
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Totally agree. More problems caused by overfeeding - obviously keep any eye on the condition of mare and foal and adjust feeding regime if necessary.
 
We give weanlings a TEENSY bit of Bailey's Stud Balancer when they're first weaned (Irish Draughts, of course.) And loads of haylage. And I mean a TEENSY bit - one open hand! They also have access to mineral licks. That's ample - too much feed can easily lead to OCD (if they don't get over lively and kick your head in first!)
 
My Highland foals graze with the herd (three mares and a stallion) during the summer and will be weaned inside on ad lib hay until put back with the main herd (about six of mixed ages) on grass when they have settled down. They will be introduced to a handful soaked sugar beet during weaning but only to get them used to it as I use this as a training aid.

So, to put it short, grass during the summer and good hay over winter, no hard feed, but free access to a Rocky salt lick.

These foals are about four months old and grazing hay aftermaths with their mothers. They will be outside 24/7 but have access to shelter, a salt lick, and water of course. Highland ponies are tough as are most natives. I have a 17 month old "yearling" who already measures 12.2HH so they seem to do alright on it!

DSC_0020_zpsvksglr5i.jpg
 
yeah i'd a cob baby over winter with other horses and just gave it some beetpulp and balancer when the others were getting fed. I wouldn't have fed it otherwise as it's a hardy little sort
 
Thanks all good advice ..... and Dry Rot your highlands are just stunning. I was being bit overawed by my friends who breed thoroughbreds and warmbloods at how high maintenance their youngsters seem! But living out with ad lib hay, licks and possibly a small hard feed a day at the rough end of winter seems very do-able!
 
Hi, don't want to hijack this thread but I have just bought a Dales mare who is in foal - due next week!

All our previous foals have been born usual mid spring, we would not normally feed them, or the mares really as they have been grazing out.
Have read the above with interest. Because of wet conditions the new foal will have to come in overnight I think, never had a mare & foal stabled before!!
 
tda said:
Hi, don't want to hijack this thread but I have just bought a Dales mare who is in foal - due next week!

All our previous foals have been born usual mid spring, we would not normally feed them, or the mares really as they have been grazing out.
Have read the above with interest. Because of wet conditions the new foal will have to come in overnight I think, never had a mare & foal stabled before!!
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The foal in this picture was born outside in the Scottish Highlands in the middle of the worst winter for years with only natural shelter. So long as the mare is well fed, the foal will do fine. It has a hot milk bar on tap! :) I have resorted to giving in-foal and recently foaled mares a molassed feed bucket (intended for sheep and cattle) when they got a bit ribby but I don't think they needed it.

Another thing, animals adjust to the ambient temperature and if adequately fed and given shelter are happy enough in low temperatures. Highlands, especially, grow a thick winter coat and I suspect Dales will too. What they do not like is driving freezing rain/sleet, no shelter, and inadequate feeding. That will strip the flesh off them quicker than anything and it is hard to put back on.

fearna9a_zpsac9ffd09.jpg
 
DryRot your Highlands are just scrumptious!

I'm another who wouldn't feed hard feed unless the foal starts dropping weight. My theory is that natives/cobs/good doers are very good at extracting the maximum amount of nutrition from what they eat and so ad lib hay should be enough.
 
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