Yearling

[Bijourock]

Hello,

I have recently bought a yearling, he is my first horse of this age! He is lovely and has a wonderful temperament.

After doing some research I have decided to feed him to ensure he has everything he needs to promote healthy growth!

I bought him Dodson & Horrell Sure Grow and then just some Dengie Hi-Fi to bulk it out a little bit.

My problem comes to him eating it! He is not interested and would rather eat his hay! I bought him a shallower bucket, I have also tried just wetted with water and also apple cider vinegar and apple juice. He isn't having any of it!

Do you have any suggestions on what will make it appetising for him?

Thanks

 

[be positive]

You need to avoid overfacing him and giving too much at this stage, he has probably never had feed or seen a feed bowl in his life, most foals learn by sharing with mum but he has probably missed this stage.

I would find something he will eat from your hand, a few tiny slices of carrot or apple may interest him, once he has taken some and understands that it is nice put the rest in the bowl and leave him to eat it, when he is actively eating that, it may take several days, start to add a tiny amount of the suregrow no need to wet it or bulk it out as he is highly unlikely to eat it quickly and choke, gradually increase the suregrow until he is getting the amount he requires then if you want start to put in some chaff although I would probably prefer something like speedibeet to add fibre, make it moist without being sloppy and slow them down if you need to, hifi is covered in molasses which I would avoid.

 

[Bijourock]

Thank you 'be positive'! He does love apples, carrots and does have treats too. I popped some apple in there but will definitely try what you suggested and get him to eat the apple/carrots out of the bucket first and add the Sure Grow, it is a good idea, that I hadn't thought of. Thank you!

 

[be positive]

Thank you 'be positive'! He does love apples, carrots and does have treats too. I popped some apple in there but will definitely try what you suggested and get him to eat the apple/carrots out of the bucket first and add the Sure Grow, it is a good idea, that I hadn't thought of. Thank you!

Cut them up very small so he has to really use his lips to find them, it will make him more likely to pick up some of the pellets and give them a try, if he has treats try crumbling them up as well, he just needs to get the idea that the bowl has tasty things in it.

 

[BandL]

Have you had him long? When I first got my youngster when she was weaned from her mum she didn't understand the concept of a bucket, apples, carrots etc! Give small amounts and gradually increase when he starts to enjoy it. You could try placing it on the floor so he 'forages' as opposed to a bucket.