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Diet for a 2yr old TB?

1K views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  daaybreak 
#1 ·
My 2yr old (soon to be 3 in June) TB will be arriving in a few weeks and I was just wondering what everyones opinions were on what to feed him, what kind of schedule to do for him, etc?

Please no comments about if I dont know, then I shouldnt be getting such a young horse. I do know about what to do I am just looking for more opinions.

Please comment your opinions, ideas, anything to help me out!
 
#3 ·
Thanks for your opinion! Im thinking I will be feeding him twice a day for grain, but not to sure on hay yet as the pasture isnt looking to great yet...(was a crappy winter and the ground didnt freeze properly so its a little torn up.) But we will see on that as time goes. Thanks again :)
 
#4 ·
Hi,

Agree with trailhorse, but I would say that if you're feeding grain or anything else starchy/sugary or difficult to digest it should be fed in a minimum of 3 small meals daily.

I'd wean him off grain & such, if that's his current diet, as a rule & stick to healthy, low starch, high fibre diet.
 
#5 ·
#6 ·
Your thoroughbred won't be three until next January. EVERY thoroughbred has it's birthday January 1 no matter when he was actually born. A June (late) baby has a real racing disadvantage because when January rolls around he's really only 7 months old, but officially he is a year. If he's sent off to the yearling sales he's still only 7 months old.
 
#7 ·
Thanks loosie, I think 3 times a day may be to much in my opinion but I will deffiently look into the other stuff. I think he will need grain however...as most TB's need it of they get to skinny I find. But thank you!

Thank verona1016, Ill take a look at it!

HagonNag, my TB will be three this june, because he was BORN in June, not January. He is not a racer and will not be a race horse and frankly I dont care that they say his age changes in January because his BIRTHDAY is in June. So yes, according to the jockey club he is three, but no he is not he is only two. So thank you, but that was not the opinion I was looking for, thanks.
 
#8 · (Edited)
Thanks loosie, I think 3 times a day may be to much in my opinion but I will deffiently look into the other stuff. I think he will need grain however...as most TB's need it of they get to skinny I find. But thank you!
TBs that are not in very hard work & healthy generally need little if any more than any other horse their size. Metabolism can be a little quicker but is generally related to work load. I don't think grain is best for any horse *as a rule* but there are other healthier alternatives for adding 'condition' if the horse doesn't do well on a grass/hay only diet. Substituting some of the hay for lucerne/alfalfa would likely be where I'd start. Beet pulp & soy hulls are other options for 'hard feeds' to add condition & provide something to mix supplements in.

Your thoroughbred won't be three until next January. EVERY thoroughbred has it's birthday January 1 no matter when he was actually born. A June (late) baby has a real racing disadvantage because when January rolls around he's really only 7 months old
Yeah that may be a convenient rule in the racing industry but aside from being rather silly for the rest of us, I wouldn't want to support something that promotes even crueller treatment of racehorses - the damage done even starting a horse at 2yo is bad enough.
 
#9 ·
Well for now Im just looking for something to help him grow, but hes on grain now so I dont know how much Ill change it. But I will still look into those other alternatives and check out what I can give him with that, as well as what you mentioned. Hes on hay, grain and beet bulp right now( I dont have him at my stable yet, so this is what his owner has him on.) so Im just looking ahead on what to add or change to make it healthier. Thanks again though!
 
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