Topspec, stud or comprehensive for a yearling?

[gill84]

Looking at changing my WB 15 month year old off mare and youngstock. He was put on it when i got him to try and get condition on him as he didnt winter well.
After researching and googling the 2 there's conflicting opinions on them. Some say comprehensive has a higher spec at a cheaper cost yet others say youngsters absolutely must be on the stud one.
I phoned the helpline and I can't remember the amount I was advised to feed exactly, but it was some rediculous amount that meant a bag at £28.99 from my feed store was only going to last a couple of weeks at best!
I want to know he's getting all his vitamins but I want him off a cereal based mix and onto a balancer. What's everyone else's babies on?

 

[Maesfen]

Look at D & H Suregrow and then talk to them who will give you more help regarding him being a WB because you don't want him having growth problems. I've used it for several years now and wouldn't go back to anything else for youngsters, it provides everything they need, no need to add anything other than hay/haylage and grazing.
It's a specially formulated youngstock balancer that you can feed entirely alone or add to something else (I always feed it alone) you'd only feed something like a couple of mugs a day so it should last you a fair while; it's about £15 for 20kg.
http://www.dodsonandhorrell.com/our-feeds/breeding/thoroughbred/mare-stallion/suregrow.html

 

[Holding]

I'd be wary of the Suregrow, as it's targeted specifically at TB youngstock, and a WB would obviously have a very different growth rate.

My 3yo WB is on TopSpec Comprehensive - for a yearling I think the TopSpec Stud will be your best bet, although it is expensive.

Can't recommend it because I've never used it, but Baileys do a Stud Balancer too which might be worth looking into?

 

[montysmum1]

Give them a ring at topspec, they're really helpful and friendly

 

[Maesfen]

I'd be wary of the Suregrow, as it's targeted specifically at TB youngstock, and a WB would obviously have a very different growth rate.

Which is why I suggested she talks to them too for their advice, I've always found them very helpful.
It's used on many other breeds and types other than TBs with a lot of success and can be used as an all round balancer for older horses too.

 

[HBM1]

throughout this spring and summer I used D&H Yearling Cubes on one of mine. It was brilliant and really helped him to gain and maintain his weight plus it has all the minerals etc they need. He also has Alfa A Oil. the yearling cubes are about £9.60 a bag. he had real trouble holding weight through winter as he is so tall and gangly anyway - but this did the trick.

Bailey's Stud Balancer is good for vits and minerals too but it won't help with weight gain at all (I had a Baileys nutritionist out and this is what she told me)....You won't really need it if you are using the specialist yearling cubes either but I would always provide a mineral lick in the field anyway.