Re: RC: To grow fast or slow?

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Mike
I was told the same thing---go slow on the grain or I'm looking for
problems such as Epiphysitis. In fact, both vets here, and one was a
track vet, said that if I grained my pregnant mares, I was also asking
for trouble as most of the grain would go towards the developing foal. I
could produce a foal so big it would cause problems in delivery or have
one born with Epiphysitis. He told me to go out to a local trainer's,
where I did see a week old foal with that malady, and, yes, Cecil had
heavily grained the mare during the last months as he felt it would help
the mare. The vets told me to pour on the "Mare and Foal" pellets after
the foaling to restore the mare's weight. I give both mare and foal (the
foal usually starts to nibble at 3-4 weeks) a large scoop AM and PM of
mare and foal until weaning and then continue with the foal as needed
depending on weight and whether I'm feeding alfalfa or forage (they need
the calcium).
I've never had a problem with the feed for what its worth and my horses,
as you know, reach a good size in due time. They grow until 6-7 yrs (of
course part of that is the Russian late bloomer characteristic). I
stopped registering them for all the Drinkers of the Wind and Daughters
of the Desert big money futurities because they were not mature enough
at 3 to train properly for those races. My first Halynov get who are
competing now are all under 10 and in their first two years of
competition so I guess we'll have to wait and see how they hold out over
time. Boy, I'll consider it a real victory if they even come half as
close as Rio.
Bette
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of TLA Halynov
http://www.stormnet.com/~woa
I've learned that life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer it
gets to the end, the faster it goes. Smell the roses!

"guest@endurance.net" wrote:
> 
> Mike Everett qbmike@hotmail.com
> My endurance mentor just called me and wanted me to ask this question. His vet told him that it was best the raise a baby slow like an oak tree and it will be strong that if you raise it fast like a pine tree it will be weaker. Feed control? What is your opinion out there? Thanks, Mike Everett
> 
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