Re: Feeding A Young Horse

["Susan Garlinghouse" <suendavid@worldnet.att.net>]

Physiologically, a three-year-old has already completed the majority of his
growth, at least the fast growth of lengthening bones.  There's still plenty
of "final touches" going on, but you really only have to be careful in
horses under two or so, when mineral intake has to be balanced against too
much energy, etc, to avoid developmental problems.

The short answer is that feeding your young horse a decent, balanced "adult"
horse ration will do just fine.  Free choice grass hay, just a tiny bit of
alfalfa if you insist, a few pounds of a good-quality grain mix (preferably
one of the ones that already has a vitamin/mineral premix added, like
Complete Advantage) and free choice salt (nothing fancy---just salt).  He'll
come around just fine without all the fancy-shmancy bullets in a bucket.  I
know it's tempting to add in a bit of this and a handful of that, but doing
so is usually doing more harm than good.  If you want to add in something
else, just add Patience. :-)))

Good luck!

Susan G
----- Original Message -----
From: Colleen Kirkpatrick <polairs210@hotmail.com>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2000 8:22 PM
Subject: RC: Feeding A Young Horse


> Hello Ridecampers,
> My mother just bought a 3 year old standerbreed arab mix.
> He has a bunch of balding spots all over his body. We think
> it is caused from  poor grooming and poor feeding habits from his previous
> owners. We have given him bathes and treated his balding spots
> with an anit-fungle cream.
> He needs to have more weight to be put on him we were thinking about
putting
> him on supplements sence he is still growing.
> Now I don't really know that much about young horses diets. I bought my
> horse when he was 7 now  he is 14.
> Is there anyone out there who knows a thing or to about this sort of
thing?
> Any info would greatly be appricated.
> Thanks
> Colleen K. (My mother is driving me crazy over skinny young
horses!)Polaris
> (Leave me alone I am a middle aged horse!!!)
> OZ ( I am ichy!!)
> Robin (Weight problems, bladding UG make it stop!!!)
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