Yearling not gaining weight?

[jess894]

Cob x thoroughbred gelding born May 2014. Bought in March in a poor condition with no life/personality/energy. Was turned out with a couple of older mares. Poor grass but as lib haylage and daily feeds of fibre beet, Alfa a oil and fibre cubes with linseed oil. Three weeks ago he was moved to 10 acres of excellent grazing with others his age. He is 100x better in himself- more energy and playful with the others but his condition doesn't seem to be improving. He is up to date with worming but ribs are still easily seen and felt, with a scrawny neck. Since being on the better turnout he is just picking at his feeds, but just wants the grass. Any thoughts?

 

[PorkChop]

For me it is a good sign that he just wants grass

I personally wouldn't be worrying, it sounds like you are doing everything right, it will just take time.

 

[Maesfen]

Yearlings should be lean with their ribs showing, if they are any fatter then they are overweight for their limbs and body to carry around. I'd be perfectly happy with him as is providing he is healthy with a good coat/skin and eye. The only feed I would be using is a feed balancer especially for growing stock, something like D & H Suregrow which will give him all the vits and minerals a growing body needs and because it is small pellets you'd not be feeding much more than a mugful a day; it will be easier for him to eat than a full feed as it sounds like he's filling himself up with grass anyway.
Yearlings grow in funny stages, long one minute, short the next, bum high then neck long again; it's a continual circle of growth and at times he will look like a camel his mother wouldn't love but it does get better during the next winter, believe me.