[grayshell38]

What type of feed (outside of good quality hay and pasture) would you suggest for a weanling? I have taken Mana off of the feed he and Deja have been on since I have had her (Nutrena Mare and foal pellets) and I switched to a 12% pellet and alfalfa cubes. By next month I want to have him down to only the alfalfa. I will see how he does with that, and maybe not even have him on that after a point as well. He does not seem to have any issues with weight even though it was a pretty bitter winter at some points and he was not blanketed. Does this seem sufficiant at least untill the spring when grazing becomes available? He has good quality grass hay available twice a day along with a mineral block which he has access to at all times along with his water. Does anyone have any suggestions? This is my first baby that I have had control over the diet of so I don't want to make any mistakes.

 

[Peggysue]

Try to find a good quality vitamin/mineral supplement or ration balancer most hays lack amino acids(protiens) that a growing baby needs for growth. Other then that fresh clean hay and fresh clean water are about all they need

can you have your hay tested to see where it is lacking??

 

[grayshell38]

Where would I be able to get my hay tested?

 

[Canopach01]

I have raised several weanlings and have always kept them on a growth formula which is usually a 16% feed until they are 2. I do this along with the grow colt supplement and electrolytes. And because I raise large kids I use a glucosamine/msm supplement during their first 2 years of growth. I do not go down to a 12% feed until after their second birthday. He needs the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals for proper development and I am not sure he will get that with just hay and grass. Have fun raising your baby - that first one is always special!

 

[Peggysue]

Equi-Analytical Laboratories - Profiling Feed for Better Nutrition

 

[Mercedes]

Definitely I'd go with a foal grain/supplement. The purpose of these is not to feed huge amounts, but rather to use to ensure a balanced diet and that nutrients are available to the growing foal particularly during periods of rapid growth.

If the foal had access to miles and miles of top quality pasture, where he could eat from a variety of grasses, legumes, herbs, seeds etc... then he likely wouldn't require anything else.

However, the truth is, each individual is different and each body utilizes nutrients at a different level of efficiency so best to cover your bases to help prevent issues down the road.

 

[grayshell38]

Thanks everyone! All the info has been very helpful!

 

[luvs2ride1979]

You don't need a foal/made grain/feed. If you are feeding plenty of hay, then something like a ration balancer or vit/min supplement with alfalfa pellets or cubes is more than adequate. Most horse feeds on the market are packed full of grain, byproducts, and fillers that are not necessary in a horse's diet, and can even be detrimental.

Here are some I would consider feeding if he were my baby:

Nothing extra needed:
http://www.admani.com/AllianceEquine/Grostrong%20Mintrate%20for%20horses.htm
Milk & Grow
Ration Balancers - BUCKEYE® Nutrition
ProAdvantage Grass Formula
30% Supplement | www.triplecrownfeed.com

Mix with hay pellets or soaked cubes:
Equi-Base Grass Pellet
SmartVite Foal Pellets from SmartPak Equine
SmartVite Maintenance Grass Pellets from SmartPak Equine

Sport Horse GRASS

 

[mls]

We raise foals every year. Last spring one of our boarders had us foal a mare for her. We feed ours Nutrena Youth (now called mare/foal) the boarder chose not to (added $).

They are all in turnout together, get the same hay (grass and grass alfalfa mix). We worm the boarded filly when we worm ours, etc. yet there is a noticeable difference in these fillies. The coats on our fillies are much nicer, they appear more robust in general.

 

[Piaffe]

my weanling filly gets alfalfa 2x a day and LMF development 2x a day....awesome stuff!