Ridecamp: Re: [RC] Suggestions for feeding 7 month filly

> Well, today was my birthday and to my surprise I received a 7 month old
Paint filly as a gift.

Wow, nice birthday present.  Happy birthday!  :-)


>and she needs to be weaned. Right now she is eating >hay and 13% Omolene.
At the barn where I will board >her, it is all adult horses and they eat hay
(grass) as well >as a combination of Omolene, alfalfa hay cubes, and a
l>ittle bran. I don't want to change her diet drastically, but >would a
complete feed for young horses be better?

Feed her free choice grass hay (if it's a different hay than what she was
getting at the breeder's, take several weeks to gradually switch her over to
new feeds), no more than a few pounds of alfalfa per day, and the Omolene
*300*, the one formulated for mares and foals.  The 100 and 200 are fine for
adults, but don't have the right minerals for babies, especially
fast-growing kids like yours.  Only feed her enough to keep her in good,
semi-lean condition, NOT halter-fat or anything that even approximates
chubby.  Chubby is the fast lane to developmental orthopedic problems.
Resist the temptation to feed her extra supplements, except for green grass
when it's available or some fresh carrots and such.  Salt should be
available as well, of course.

>What I'm wondering is how long should she be fed as a "young" horse rather
than an adult horse? and what are the best options?

Nutritionally, feed her as a baby until she's about two---the vast majority
of  growth will have taken place by then and you'll be past the likeliest
period for developmental problems.  After two, you can switch her to adult
feeds if you like, although frankly, I keep my kids on the Omolene 300 until
they're about three or so.

Yes, there are other options, such as the complete junior feeds, but I still
prefer having plenty of long stem hay in front of babies and feeding a small
amount of a fortified grain.  IMO, grass hay, a pound or two of alfalfa and
a few pounds of the Omolene 300 is a very good way to go.  There are other
good brands as well, but since that's what's already available at your barn,
why buck the trend. :-)

Have fun with your new girl!

Susan G




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