Protein for youngster

Identityincrisis

Identityincrisis

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 November 2011
Messages
1,878
Visit site
I have a 4yr old Anglo Arab who is a very good doer and likes his grub!

I had my physio out to him yesterday who asked what I was feeding him, he gets Fast Fibre, Micronised Linseed and Pro Balance supplement. She advised he needs protein to help his muscles, but on researching feeds etc I have noticed linseed has a high protein content, do I really need to add more?

If I do, I was looking at Coolstance but while a lot of people rave about it I got the impression, for a bit of a porker, it may add more weight to him, something he doesn't need and I manage his weight very closely

Oh yes, he's barefoot so try to stay low starch/sugar, high fibre. He's also on very good grazing (not good for barefoot!) and quality hay


Advice gratefully received
 
Identityincrisis said:
……... He's also on very good grazing (not good for barefoot!) and quality hay


Advice gratefully received
Click to expand...

At the age of 4 years, I would studiously ignore the advice which you've been given. Your 'physio' is talking nonsense, and on decent grass keep, that is all that any youngster should need. I would abandon ALL the additional food that you are providing. The best of horses grow slowly and reach physical maturity at around 5-6 years of age. Those which mature to quickly, especially the good-doers, run the most frightful risks.

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
At the age of 4 years, I would studiously ignore the advice which you've been given. Your 'physio' is talking nonsense, and on decent grass keep, that is all that any youngster should need. I would abandon ALL the additional food that you are providing. The best of horses grow slowly and reach physical maturity at around 5-6 years of age. Those which mature to quickly, especially the good-doers, run the most frightful risks.


Alec.
Click to expand...
For once, I almost agree with alec :)
A youngster needs time, after that feed a fibre based diet with adequate minerals. You can't force feed, you should not keep them short of minerals, but forget about protein and diet and so on.
Youngsters can grow though ugly duckling stages, but unless you are talking about racing 2 year old T.B.s just let them range on old pastures and play with their pals.
 
Last edited:
I'm in a similar situation ie youngster that's barefoot.

Linseed is enough protein for a growing horse in no/light work and growing. How much are you feeding?

My 3yr old gets approx 75grms, now that grass is through, along with Pro Balance, salt and Unmolassed chop.

I can't figure out how to post pictures but I've got some of him in the album on my profile. He's definitely not lacking in muscle and that's in no work (he is a quarter horse so baby got back!)
 
I have a sec D 4 year old and I am currently feeding him conditioning cubes and high fibre cubes - our haylage is too rich so cutting down the haylage and feeding more hard feed. And alfa a pellets, plus equibeet. and then garlic and brewers yeast mixed in. Seems to be doing fab off it. You could always forget about the conditioning cubes?
 
I've figured out pictures now but too late to edit my post.

My 3yr old gets linseed, pro balance and Unmolassed chop. He's out 24/7.

This is the day he arrived June 2014 and 10 june 2015 (he wintered out too)

5DC05FC7-D29D-42F1-BC36-6B4B71DF6B42_zpslcp8dwlw.jpg
 
TPO said:
I've figured out pictures now but too late to edit my post.

My 3yr old gets linseed, pro balance and Unmolassed chop. He's out 24/7.

This is the day he arrived June 2014 and 10 june 2015 (he wintered out too)

5DC05FC7-D29D-42F1-BC36-6B4B71DF6B42_zpslcp8dwlw.jpg
Click to expand...

Beautiful! He looks in such good health!
 
TPO - He looks fab! My Anglo is a big guy, to be honest I didn't want to overfeed him as he is hacked 5 days a week and is looking great on what he is getting.

Linseed is a mug full, very unprecise measuring I know :(

Having considered it further I'm sticking to what I'm doing, he looks good and his coat is like glass......pretty good indicator :)
 
Identityincrisis said:
TPO - He looks fab! My Anglo is a big guy, to be honest I didn't want to overfeed him as he is hacked 5 days a week and is looking great on what he is getting.

Linseed is a mug full, very unprecise measuring I know :(

Having considered it further I'm sticking to what I'm doing, he looks good and his coat is like glass......pretty good indicator :)
Click to expand...

Sounds like a plan!
 
TPO,

I well remember your thread from last year. That your 2 yo, when acquired, was in a shameful state, will be obvious. You have made a remarkable job of turning him around. There's no question of that and credit is due to you!

My argument, and it remains the same, is that once recovery is achieved, and an animal looks as well as does yours, then that is the time to slacken off the screw of input and feed, and allow the horse to grow to its potential, and without assistance, and not before it is old enough.

Too rapid a growth rate can lead to the most frightful and sometimes fatal results, and I have made my mistakes! These comments apply equally to the OP and her youngster which is a good-doer. To support my argument; 'How many 2 yo TBs do we see which have been prepped for the sales and which are finished and often put down by the time that they're 6 year olds'? Too early a promotion is the reason.

To finish, your youngster is barely recognisable and is a success story of which you're justifiably proud!

Alec.
 
Thank you for your reply Alec.

While I do not wish to derail this from the OP's post I do not like the implication that I have or am over feeding.

I'm very aware of the effects and damage caused by over feeding. At no point during Chip's recovery, or since, has he been fed in this manner. There is no screw to be slackened.

I'm experienced with youngsters, I've never over fed and I've seen first hand the damage from over feeding.

I originally posted on here last year because I had no experience of commercial feeds for youngsters having never gone down that path. I received advice from posters like Spring Fearher and Maestfan, amongst others, that I am grateful for.

Following SF's advice I bought the Gro n Win balancer. I used two bags of this fed along with linseed, beet and Unmolassed chaff before gradually moving him into his current diet.

My horses live out on long, seeded Italian grass mix that's been tested and deficiencies are known. He is fed Pro Balance, linseed and chop once a day to meet those deficiencies and provide him with the required building blocks for a growing young horse.

I appreciate that you posted with good intentions but to make assumptions about my knowledge, care and feeding then tell me to change before causing damage is not appreciated.

OP also appears to have a very sensible approach to feeding and is guided by her horse.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top