What is the best diet to feed a yearling colt? I also need for it to be affordable.?

Question

Even though I started riding Thoroughbreds when I was 6, and have been around horses all my life, I have never owned a horse. I just recently purchased an APHA bay & white tobiano yearling. He will be arriving to our new boarding facility this Friday, and I am doing self-care instead of full-care. Therefore, I need some suggestions on a good grain/pellet for yearling colts, until the age of 2. Most of the diets I have come across are for either "mare & foal", "performance", "pleasure" and "senior" horses. All suggestions from experienced horse owners will be very much appreciated! I do need his diet to be as affordable as possible without sacrificing quality. Thanks!!!

I looked into Purina's Equine Junior, due to a recommendation to my question. The Equine Junior states adding hay in unnecessary, and that you can feed the feed alone, due to it's content of alfalfa. Has anyone fed this feed alone, without hay, and had good results?

Answer 1

Hay is ALWAYS needed - the all pellet diets come with digestive problems for lack of fiber. Sooner or later colic happens.
What are you going to be doing with your paint? That makes a huge difference. Are you going to show? Wait for him to grow up and ride? Pleasure or competition? What are your long term goals for him. Someone mentioned Omolene 200 and if you're looking at showing I'd look at that with a good pellet. Also have seen good results from a Buckeye performance feed - very concentrated stuff.
If you're not planning on showing him you still need to feed for growth and health...find a good 14-16% feed and use it according to directions. Pick a good quality hay and feed on weight (not free choice unless he's been starved or has issues - a stalled horse doesn't need and shouldn't have food all the time. Being without hay for a couple hours between feedings is not going to hurt him.)
Where you are matters too - the best feed in one area might be impossible to get in another.

Answer 2

The best that I have come across is Nutrena Safe Choice. Available in pellet form at $11.99 a bag and is completely safe for ALL stages of life from the pregnant mare to young foals to adults and Seniors. 14% protein 7% fat and 15% fiber (I think ).

By the way you can buy a book on equine nutrition. It doesn't matter what cut hay you buy, All that matters is the time during it's growth it was cut, the ammount of precipitation and the length of time it has been stored. If hay is too wet when but and bale it loses nutrition and can sponaniously combust. If it is stored in the sun the hay will become bleched so the exterrior color does not say much either. The longer hay sits, the lower it's nutrional value so the more you will have to feed. No matter what cut the hay it will always vary in the ammount of nutrients it occurs again due to rainfall time of year planted, developmental stage in which it was cut, etc. All cuts are lacking in some department. READ READ READ. Growing hay is an art in itself. If you want information go to the library or bookstore.

Answer 3

At this point free-choice (as much as he will eat) good quality hay is your best choice for food. Many people over-do the feeding of supplements and phase feeds which results in joint problems because of growth spurts. If he is not doing any hard physical work (which he shouldn't be at a year) and is not difficult to put weight on, then he should be fine on hay.
Alfalfa/grass hay is nice and provides, but the most important aspect is quality. Never buy 1st cut (it is cow hay), always buy 2nd or 3rd cut, and always buy from a reputable seller. Ask the knowledgeable people in your area about where to buy the best hay.
Good luck with your colt!

Answer 4

A yearling colt... I am going to assume that it weights about 750 lbs..so.... developing those bones is important at that age.

Feed your horse a couple of pounds of good quality oats with a vitamin and mineral supplement twice a day. Also, double the amount of hay per day, then you should see an improvement in your horses weight and in her behavior. Hopefully your mare is able to go out to graze for a few hours a day and has other exercise. Please remember that oats do not make hyper horses. In feeding, it is important to stay away from feed that makes a horse (cold) hyper

Answer 5

Purina is great and affordable and sold almost every where. I would try:
OMOLENE 200® PERFORMANCE(sweet feed)
STRATEGY® (pellet)
EQUINE JUNIOR® (complete mix)

also plenty of good quality hay (not coastal and make sure it is horse, not cattle, quality) I give hay free choice and the back of the bag will help with that ratio

and as much water as he wants

Answer 6

Take an extended whip out with you and while he does that, whack him around the butt with it. Or throw a bucket at him. Or scare him and chase him away till he turns to stand you and provide you his complete concentration. He's seeking to dominate you, and that simply would possibly not do. When you procedure him, it doesn't matter what you are doing, he will have to quit and face you, by means of some thing manner you ought to use to get his concentration. You're the boss. Putting his butt to you manner he does not feel it correct now. You do not ought to geld him to repair the issues however he will generally do a reasonable bit much less of checking out your dominance if you're taking away his testosterone factories. ;) ----- It's no longer adore it takes very sometimes to get his concentration. He'll quit doing it beautiful speedy. You are not able to be candy to him at all times; there are a few matters they must be trained the difficult means. A horse MUST be trained that he are not able to do matters which placed you in hazard - a few matters are not able to be compromised. What could the boss mare do if an uncongenial little colt attempted to kick her? She'd scare the crap out of him. This is how he learns who to not mess with. Think how he thinks; HE believes tips on how to dominate you is to kick or threaten to kick. We retaliate towards biting bodily. We retaliate towards horses strolling on most sensible people bodily, and so much people retaliate towards kickers bodily. It does not subject if he knows WHY he are not able to kick you - due to the fact that it could significantly harm you is why - however what he demands to realise is that he definitely are not able to underneath any situations kick you (or threaten to). The why isn't predominant. Nip this within the bud -now-, you can remorse it for those who permit it move... You are not able to back off, regardless of the concern he does this in. It's as much as you to permit him are aware of it's unacceptable. ((Also this question gave the impression of pasture-feeding, no longer stall feeding. Stall-feeding is one other subject utterly. Some horses are stall-territorial. What I care to do is placed the meals within the stall first, then convey them into the stall. Then I again them into the a long way nook from the feed bin and cause them to quit fussing earlier than I take their halters off to head devour. The meals is there, sure, however I'm constantly the boss regardless.))

Answer 7

Walk into a co-worker's desk to chat as an alternative to instant messaging.

Answer 8

In the mood for the hot meal? Make a huge pot of veggie bean soups, divide into two-cup containers, and store inside freezer. Before bed, place a container inside the fridge, then grab it before heading out the door each morning.

Answer 9

For sandwich-lovers, use spinach or swiss chard leaves instead of a wrap, skip the portion of cheese, and load on the veggies.

Answer 10

Eat in front of a person rather than screen. It cuts down on mindless eating and allows you to more accountable for each chunk.