question about my colt foal x

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denise long

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hi im denni ( denise)

ive just been given a colt foal (5 months aprox) hes not really in poor condition or anything but was beaten by who used to "own" him (hence how and why i got him) he is very timid however he is coming round very quickly.

i have no idea what his breeding is i have just been told his dam was welsh cross and his sire was heavy cob no idea on hieghts ect

so you lovely lovely people..... hes 5 months old, standing at withers at 11.2 and bum at 12.2hh

my question is how big do you think he will make roughly... i will post a pic once i can figure out my new phone :/
im not overly fussed as he will be mainly inhand showing and driven when old enough unless he makes over 14.2hh then he may be broken in to ride.

also if any one of you have any tips on feeding (getting him to eat hard feed) i would be really happy to hear your advise. nothing about closing him in a stable until he eats as some have already suggested as i only have shelters and i dont really agree with keeping babies locked away when they should be out playing.

many thanks guys xxx
 
I notice you have not had any replies, have you tried posting in breeding for advice on feeding for a foal.

I am surprised that anyone should tell you to shut a foal in until it eats, they need to learn and copy others, if it is no longer able to learn from its dam.
 
Breeding might be tyhe place to go. I wouldn't worry about hard food too much for now, as long as he eats plenty of hay and has a mineral lick that will do. What are you trying him with? Is he out with another horse?
 
Thanks I will try breeding. Yes he is out with a mixed heard including 2 14 month olds which are a family members. He has been tried with just chaff. Oats. And porridge just to try entice him. But hes not interested. Also have a youngstock mix which has been suggested by a vet but hes not fussed. Its more curiosity about his hieght. Hes eatting plenty of hay and drinking well xx
 
If he will eat hay, try sprinkling some hard feed on the hay. If possible, I would try to get him on his own or the others will have it all! It may take a few days for the penny to drop.

Youngsters have to learn that what older horses will kill for is nice to eat, a bit like children and beer! Then when they do learn, the next problem is stopping them!

I'd also suggest introducing some grated carrot as youngsters won't eat that either to start with. But it is handy to get them keen for it so you can use a slice as a reward. (Just make sure they don't start nipping which is what they will do if they get rewarded for nibbling at your hand or clothes).
 
In another year you ll get a better idea of his final height. The way to do it [ but wait till he is at least 1 yr old , so say next summer] is to put a string from his elbow to his fetlock on a front leg. Keep the end at the elbow still, then swing the rest of the string up towards and beyond the wither .Where the string ends will be the approx final height. Good luck with your baby foal!
 
Most probable height 15hh, I fed my youngster (4 months) Winergy low energy with carrots and he took to it straight away, I feed my other 4 on it as well and they have done well on it.
 
Height wise my 5 1/2 month old is currently just over 13hh at the withers and a bit bigger at the bum and we're expecting him to make about 15'2 - 16hh.
Feed wise try feeding the grown ups in front of him, see if one would be kind enough to share a bucket (depends on your other horses) or else try getting him eating mints from your hand then put a little peppermint essence in the feed (worked really well when I changed brands and Milo would not eat the new feed - he loves mints tho) Do be careful about giving too much hard feed as it can cause joint problems if they grow too quickly
 
Thanks for that "mynutmeg" I do have a few who happily share and have let him stick his nose in to have a taste but hes jsut not fussed even with carrots and molasses xx
 
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