Yearling not gaining weight..

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xTrooperx

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I've got a yearling that I feel is a little ribby going into the winter, he is on ab lib hayledge & condition feed ( one meal daily), he has been fully wormed with correct wormer other looking good, it's just him, I would of thought being on hayledge there would of been some improvement, I have also started rugging for last few weeks.
he is on loan I've spoken to owners, who basically said he will be fine, I asked if they want him back as may be stress ( had for 6 mths), again didn't really want to know & saying if I want him gone either sell on their behalf of loan ( I have passport), he was a little s##t when he came, couldn't even lead, they have never contacted me only to reply (sometimes wks later) when I send reports/pic.
has seen vet couple of times though not for weight but they didn't seem to bothered as still growing up wards.
am I over reacting and just see how things go as still growing? He Presently looks like three different ponies put together.
 
Yearlings are growing weeds and use all of the food you give them into growing at all funny shapes and angles so I wouldn't be too worried, one week they look fine, the next they've gone lanky or long again, it's par for the course.
You don't say whay breed/type he is which isn't helpful as they all grow at different speeds. I would be inclined to feed twice a day at least if you can and what feed is he actually on as it could be sufficient for a native pony but not for a warmblood if that makes sense?
I can't see it's stress after 6 months but does he have company and plenty of turnout, both are what a young horse needs?
 
24/7 turnout with company, fed condition pellets with Alfa oil, will get sugar beet once colder. He is a mix breed bit of welsh,tb,cob etc...prob make around 15h.
 
Right, then if he is underweight and not just growing it off then I would be feeding the sugarbeet now, don't wait until it's colder, he needs the reserves now. Or you could try soaked grass nuts, Graze On seem to be the best, they are good for weight gain. Condition feeds aren't really meant for growing youngsters, so I'd be inclined to change to something like Baileys Stud Nuts which will have all he needs in them and are good for weight gain too then perhaps once he's at a good weight change them to a stud balancer which will still give him all he needs but with less calories. Another important thing is to also make sure he gets to eat his feed in peace and not be bullied into hurrying up, he needs to be able to digest it properly for it to do him any good.
 
As above, I was called to a windswept field to look at a T.B. mare and foal , owner concerned that foal is ribby, [and tiny]..... mare fat as a pig! It only grew to 14.3, too little too late! This is rare.
I like Mare and Youngstock which is by Dodson and Horrel [suited to all breeds]. Youngsters have different requirements to adults.
Also is the hay very stalky, maybe it is too much for his teeth, I like young animals to have a finer forage if possible but main thing is to make sure he is getting his share.
I am not sure what outcome you expect from the loan, if horse should become valuable the owners will want him back, but otherwise what use is he to either of you [putting it bluntly].
I think you need to think about it, cos if the youngster ends up with eg vet bills, will the owner pay.......... and supposing they just turn up one day and remove it, how will you feel?
I am just putting this to you cos there are a lot of people out there willing to take advantage, and NOT treat people fairly. I was once given a rig as a companion.......... not good!
 
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Another vote for beet :) My little guy came to me scrawny and a summer of decent grazing, coupled with hay and beet has really improved him. I also give him a handful of unmollased alfalfa based chaff, with NAF Mare, Foal & Youngstock Supplement and Equivite Body Builder - can be pricey but it has helped him so he will be on it until he is old enough for an adult supplement. Hoping to switch him over to NAF Oilivite as an adult.
 
Maesfen said:
Yearlings are growing weeds and use all of the food you give them into growing at all funny shapes and angles so I wouldn't be too worried, one week they look fine, the next they've gone lanky or long again, it's par for the course.
You don't say whay breed/type he is which isn't helpful as they all grow at different speeds. I would be inclined to feed twice a day at least if you can and what feed is he actually on as it could be sufficient for a native pony but not for a warmblood if that makes sense?
I can't see it's stress after 6 months but does he have company and plenty of turnout, both are what a young horse needs?
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I agree with this totally best to be on the thinner side being a yearling.
 
I'd also be feeding it in more than one feed. Split his meal into breakfast and dinner. (Just seen that's been suggested already)

Also, has he been wormed?
 
My yearling started looking a bit thin nearer the end of the summer, so she is on Alfa A - un mollassed, mare and youngstock D&H, and a small bit of sure grow and beet and what a difference this has made, especially since she has sprouted in the last month
 
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