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What supplements or vitamins for weanlings?

4K views 8 replies 8 participants last post by  QtrBel 
#1 ·
I have a fresian walker cross weanling. He's currently on triple crown growth, but I was wondering if that was enough? What vitamins and supplements do you give your babies, if any? I'm a little weary of supplements because it's so easy to mess up your horses diet and it's been shown that it leads to ulcers. What do you guys think?
 
#3 ·
Your horse should be getting enough nutrients from the hay,grass, forage.
To many people are adding supplements to the horses diet , when usually none are needed.
They did this to chickens , cattle, and swine,, now look at how many people are going back to Organic.
If you think your weanling needs a supplement , call out the Vet, have a blood draw done and see if it is actually needing extra vitamins, minerals etc.
Don't fall into the the frenzy of my horse needs, because of everyone says or does. This is why so many horses get ulcers , colic, metabolic disease etc etc.
Please, do your horse a favor and have the blood draw done first.
 
#4 ·
Your horse should be getting enough nutrients from the hay,grass, forage.
To many people are adding supplements to the horses diet , when usually none are needed.
They did this to chickens , cattle, and swine,, now look at how many people are going back to Organic.
If you think your weanling needs a supplement , call out the Vet, have a blood draw done and see if it is actually needing extra vitamins, minerals etc.
Don't fall into the the frenzy of my horse needs, because of everyone says or does. This is why so many horses get ulcers , colic, metabolic disease etc etc.
Please, do your horse a favor and have the blood draw done first.

^ This exactly. Unless something is missing don't add anything to a young horses diet. I've seen too many people pushing for extra growth and then they can't figure out why their horse has bone and joint problems at a young age.
Of course some youngsters do need a helping hand, but as Stevenson said have blood pulled first then add only what is needed.
 
#5 ·
I'm sorry but horses DON'T get all they need from hay and grass. depending on the area you live in your grass is deficient of certain nutrients. We ind WA state have a selenium deficiency in our grass and hay so we have to supplement. Pulling blood is always a good idea. But believe me, not feeding enough is just as bad as feeding too much. I wouldn't overfeed and push for size. Rather keep it at a happy medium. Until your horse turns 2 you have to follow a strict feeding plan. Measure the size, weight, daily weight gain etc. and adjust the feed properly to that. It's not as easy as it sounds. But there is some good info out there on how to correctly calculate everything and worst case scenario you can always ask a equine nutritionist and vet for help.

Nutrition of the weanling and yearling horse : University of Minnesota Extension

Feeding Yearlings | TheHorse.com

Understanding Horse Nutrition Is Vital To The Overall Health Of Your Horse

Equine Nutrition Guidelines for Life Stages - CRF Horse Nutrition Guide - Southern States Cooperative

Standlee Feed Calculator | Standlee Forage

Horse Nutrition Facts and Equine Feed Information

Horse Nutrition Explained


The last 3 are some of my favorite sites but they are all good. Read it and make notes. then you can judge it best for yourself what you are going to feed your baby.
 
#7 ·
The Triple Crown should provide all that he needs regarding vitamins and nutrients. The only supplement I give my 1.4 year old is ground flax seed, but that's because being a Friesian, he inherited the sensitive skin gene. My Vet has also recommended a joint supplement (considering my colt's future in sport) I have not yet started this. I have found that with regards to joint health, there seems to be conflicting theories.

One theory being to start your horse gently, don't overwork and be mindful of the wear and tear you put your horse's joints through, therefore warranting a joint supplement unnecessary. On the other hand, building a healthy joint (through a supplement) and keeping it that way is better than dealing with a joint that has deteriorated beyond the help of oral supplements--which leads to joint injections. Anyway, enough of my rambling.

If your weanling looks and feels good, then I would just stay on the path you are on! Good luck!
 
#9 ·
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