Your Comprehensive Guide to Feeding Young Horses

Your Comprehensive Guide to Feeding Young Horses

Proper nutrition is crucial for the healthy development of young horses. Whether you're raising foals, weanlings, or yearlings, understanding their unique nutritional needs is essential for their growth, bone development, and overall health. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the key aspects of feeding young horses, from their early days to their transition into adulthood.

Understanding the Stages of Young Horse Development

Before diving into specific feeding practices, it's important to understand the different stages of a young horse's development. These are outlined below:

1. Foal (0-6 months): Primarily reliant on mare's milk, gradually introducing solid foods.
2. Weanling (6-12 months): Transitioning fully to solid foods after weaning.
3. Yearling (12-24 months): Rapid growth phase, requiring carefully balanced nutrition.
4. Two-year-old (24-36 months): Continued growth and development, preparing for training.

Each of these stages has unique nutritional requirements that must be met for optimal growth and health.

The Importance of Balanced Nutrition

Young horses require a balanced diet that provides adequate amounts of:

- Energy (calories)

- Protein

- Vitamins

- Minerals

- Water

Balancing these nutrients is important, as both deficiencies and excesses can lead to health problems. For example, too much energy can lead to rapid growth and obesity, potentially causing developmental orthopedic diseases (DOD). On the other hand, insufficient protein can result in poor muscle development and growth.

Feeding the Foal

For the first few months of life, foals rely primarily on their mother's milk. Mare's milk is rich in nutrients and provides everything a young foal needs for rapid growth. However, by about 2-3 months of age, the mare's milk production begins to decline, and it's time to introduce solid foods. 

At this stage it is essential for the mare to receive proper nutrition, for both milk quality and production, and the mare’s health and wellbeing. Our top sellers include Johnsons Natural Formula Mare and Foal, Hygain Tru Breed and Mitavite Breeda. 

Creep Feeding

Creep feeding is the practice of providing supplemental feed to foals while they're still nursing. This is typically done by setting up a separate feeding area that only the foal can access. Creep feeding helps to:

1. Supplement the declining nutrients from mare's milk
2. Introduce the foal to solid foods
3. Support rapid growth rates
4. Reduce stress at weaning time

To start creep feeding the below steps are generally followed: 

1. Start around 2-3 months of age, when the mare's milk production begins to decline.
2. Use a feed specifically designed for foals (creep feed).
3. Begin with a small amount (about 0.5-1% of the foal's body weight per day) divided into several meals.
4. Gradually increase the amount as the foal shows interest and consumes the feed readily.
5. Ensure the creep feeding area is easily accessible to the foal but not the mare.

When choosing a creep feed, look for a product specifically designed for young, growing horses. These feeds are typically higher in protein (around 16-18%) and fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. Our best seller T&R Grower and Weaner Pellets are a good transition and start for creep feeding. 

Transitioning to the Weanling Stage

Weaning is a critical time in a young horse's life, typically occurring around 4-6 months of age. During this period, it's essential to ensure that the weanling is receiving adequate nutrition to support continued growth.

Weanling Nutrition

Weanlings require a diet that is:

1. High in quality protein (14-16% of the diet)
2. Rich in essential amino acids, particularly lysine
3. Balanced in calcium and phosphorus for proper bone development
4. Fortified with vitamins and minerals

A typical diet for a weanling might include:

- High-quality forage (pasture or hay)

- Concentrated feed formulated for growing horses, such as T&R Grower and Weaner Pellets, Hygain Grotorque or AV Grower and Weaner Pellets.

- Free access to fresh, clean water

- Salt block for electrolyte balance

When weaning a foal, the following steps should be considered:

1. Begin introducing hay and concentrated feed before weaning starts.
2. Gradually increase the amount of solid feed as milk intake decreases.
3. By weaning time, the foal should be consuming about 1-1.5% of its body weight in concentrated feed daily, plus free-choice hay.
4. Continue to increase feed intake gradually after weaning to support growth.

It's important to monitor the weanling's body condition and adjust feed amounts accordingly. Overfeeding can be just as detrimental as underfeeding at this stage.

Feeding the Yearling

As horses enter their yearling stage, their growth rate begins to slow, but their nutritional needs remain high. Yearlings continue to require a balanced diet rich in quality protein, energy, and essential minerals.

Yearling Nutrition

A yearling's diet should consist of:

1. 60-70% forage (pasture or good quality hay)
2. 30-40% concentrated feed formulated for growing horses such as Coprice Growing & Breeding, Barastoc Feed & Grow and Benchmark Invest.
3. Balanced vitamin and mineral supplementation

Pay special attention to the calcium-phosphorus ratio in the overall diet, aiming for a ratio between 1.5:1 and 2:1. This balance is crucial for proper bone development and can help prevent developmental orthopedic diseases.

Feeding Considerations for Two-Year-Olds

As horses approach their two-year-old year, their nutritional needs begin to shift. While still growing, their rate of growth slows significantly. At this stage, the focus should be on maintaining steady growth and preparing the horse for the beginning of training.

Two-Year-Old Nutrition

The diet of a two-year-old should include:

1. High-quality forage as the primary component (70-80% of the diet)
2. Concentrated feed to meet remaining nutritional needs such as T&R Claytons Pellets or Grower and Weaner Pellets.
3. Balanced vitamin and mineral supplementation

As training begins, energy requirements may increase. However, it's important not to overfeed, as excess weight can put strain on developing joints and limbs.

Special Considerations in Feeding Young Horses

Developmental Orthopedic Diseases (DOD)

Young horses are susceptible to various developmental orthopedic diseases, including:

- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)

- Physitis

- Angular limb deformities

- Flexural deformities

Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in preventing these conditions. Avoid overfeeding energy, maintain proper mineral balances (especially calcium and phosphorus), and ensure adequate vitamin D intake.

Monitoring Growth and Body Condition

Regularly monitoring your young horse's growth rate and body condition is essential. Use weight tapes or scales to track weight gain, and learn to assess body condition visually. Aim for steady, consistent growth rather than rapid weight gain.

The Role of Exercise

While not directly related to feeding, exercise plays a crucial role in the development of young horses. Adequate turnout time and controlled exercise can promote proper bone and muscle development, complementing a well-balanced diet.

Types of Feed and Supplements for Young Horses

Providing the right types of feed and supplements is crucial for the proper development of young horses. Let's explore the various options available and their benefits:

Forage

Forage should form the foundation of any horse's diet, including young horses. Good quality forage provides essential fiber, nutrients, and promotes gut health.

1. Pasture: Fresh grass is an excellent source of nutrients when available. Ensure the pasture is free from toxic plants and not overgrazed.

2. Hay: When pasture is limited, high-quality hay is essential. For young horses, choose:

   - Legume hay (like lucerne) for higher protein and calcium content

   - Mixed grass-legume hay for a balance of nutrients such as good quality ARGT tested meadow hay, 

   - Oaten or Wheaten Hay. Avoid coarse, stemmy hay that may be less digestible

Concentrated Feeds

Young horses often need concentrated feeds to supplement their forage diet and meet their high nutritional demands.

1. Commercial Growth Formulas: These are specially formulated for young, growing horses and typically contain:

   - Higher protein levels (14-16% for weanlings and yearlings)

   - Balanced calcium-phosphorus ratios

   - Added vitamins and minerals

   - Formulas such as T&R Grower and Weaner, Hygain Grotorque and Barastoc Breed and Grow are all suitable for growing horses.

2. Oats: A traditional feed for horses, oats are palatable and provide energy. However, they should be fed as part of a balanced diet, not as the sole grain source. 

3. Pelleted Feeds: These offer a consistent nutrient profile and can be easier to digest. Look for pellets specifically formulated for growing horses.

4. Extruded Feeds: These undergo a cooking process that can increase digestibility. They're particularly useful for young horses with dental issues or those prone to choke.

Supplements

While a well-balanced diet should provide most necessary nutrients, certain supplements can be beneficial for young horses:

1. Vitamin and Mineral Supplements: 

   - Calcium and Phosphorus: Critical for bone development. Aim for a Ca:P ratio between 1.5:1 and 2:1.

   - Copper and Zinc: Important for cartilage and bone formation.

   - Vitamin E and Selenium: Act as antioxidants and support muscle function.

   - Supplements for growing horses include Kohnkes Own Cell Grow, Advanced Feeds Weanling Supplement and Hiform Breedplus 

2. Protein Supplements:

   - Soybean meal: A high-quality protein source rich in essential amino acids.

   - Lysine supplements: Lysine is often the limiting amino acid in equine diets. Lysine isn’t a protein but is necessary for growth and development. 

3. Joint Supplements:

   - Glucosamine and Chondroitin: May support joint health in growing horses.

   - MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): Can support joint function and act as an anti-inflammatory.

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids:

   - Flaxseed or fish oil: Can support coat health, immune function, and may have anti-inflammatory properties.

5. Probiotic and Prebiotic Supplements:

   - These can support digestive health, which is particularly important during times of stress like weaning.

Feeding Tips

1. Introduce new feeds gradually to avoid digestive upset.
2. Feed by weight, not volume, to ensure accurate nutrition.
3. Divide daily concentrate rations into multiple small meals.
4. Always provide access to fresh, clean water.
5. Regularly reassess the feeding program as the young horse grows and develops.

Remember, while these feeds and supplements can be beneficial, it's crucial to consult with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian before making significant changes to a young horse's diet. Every horse is unique, and factors such as breed, growth rate, and intended use can all influence nutritional needs. Regular monitoring of growth and body condition will help ensure your feeding program is meeting your young horse's needs without promoting excessive growth rates.

Important Considerations

- If you notice any signs of colic, diarrhea, or feed refusal, slow down the introduction process or pause it temporarily.

- Consult with your veterinarian if digestive issues persist or if the horse shows any signs of illness during feed transitions.

- For horses that are particularly sensitive to feed changes, you may need to extend the transition period to 14-21 days.

Remember, every horse is an individual and may react differently to new feeds and supplements. Always observe your young horse closely during any dietary changes and be prepared to adjust your approach based on their response. When in doubt, consult with an equine nutritionist or your veterinarian for personalised advice on introducing new feeds and supplements to your young horse's diet.

Feeding young horses is a complex but rewarding process. By understanding the unique nutritional needs of each developmental stage and providing a balanced diet, you can set your young horse up for a healthy, successful future. Remember to consult with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian to create a feeding program tailored to your individual horse's needs, taking into account factors such as breed, expected adult size, and intended use.

With proper nutrition, careful monitoring, and lots of love, you can help your young horse grow into a strong, healthy adult ready to tackle whatever discipline or career lies ahead.