Ridecamp: Re: [RC] [Guest] feeding a weanling

> If Susan is lurking on Ridecamp, or anyone else with knowledgeable advice,
> I welcome it! Am looking for nutrition advice on feeding a weanling (6
> months +) Please feel free to email me privately.
> Thanks for all your help!
> susie

1)  Free choice, good quality grass hay or pasture.
2)  No more than a few pounds of alfalfa per day and NEVER free choice (we
can discuss the research citations relating this to increased incidence of
developmental orthopedic disease, or you can take my word for it)
3) Feed a good quality 16-18% pellet/mix formulated specifically for
broodmares and foals---the mineral requirements are different during this
stage than for adult horses and yes, it makes a difference in quality of
growth.
4) Feed at an appropriate level so that the foal is well-covered and
healthy-looking, but NOT plump.  That more than anything else will lead to
DOD problems.
5)  Don't feed high-fat feeds or add fat to their ration---fats are fine for
adding energy later in life, but at this stage, you need to only provide
feeds that also contribute other nutrients such as protein, vitamins,
minerals, etc.
6) Resist the urge to add other vitamin-mineral supplements not already
supplied in the foal pellets.  I guarentee you'll be creating problems, not
solving them.  If you just can't resist the urge to cobble up special mixes
for your baby, then you can add some biotin supplement or some vitamin e or
feed some fresh carrots.  That's it.
7)  Free choice loose, white salt in a box that the little rat can't fling
around, because otherwise, he will.<g>
8)  Deworm him, if you haven't already.  I saw the recent comments on how
'horses only need to be dewormed twice a year, if that', and would love to
email that source a photo of the six-month-old foal that died here last week
of a ruptured intestine and ascarid impaction because the owners had been
told not to "poison" either their broodmare or foals with a dewormer.

That's about it.  Have fun with your new baby. :-)

Susan G



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