July 7, 2000

Feeding strategies
for young horses

Should you feed your weanling and yearling horses the same as you feed your mares? Not on your life. Young horses require an entirely different feeding strategy, said Dr. Pete Gibbs, Extension horse specialist.

Speaking at the recent Western Rolling Plains Mare and Foal Clinic, Gibbs said young horses require feeds that allow them to develop bone and muscle early in life.

“We have to feed according to their growth rate,” he said. “Colts that exhibit rapid growth will reach their mature height and weight in 18 to 24 months,” he said. “Moderate growth colts won’t achieve mature height and weight until they are about three years old. At either growth rate, we need to feed to avoid developmental orthopedic diseases such as contracted tendons and epiphysitis.”

Because foals learn to feed from their mothers, horse owners need to remember that mare rations will not meet the colt’s nutritional needs. For example, an oats and alfalfa ration won’t provide enough protein—especially the essential amino acid, lysine— for a growing colt.

“Keep in mind that grains are typically higher in phosphorus than calcium,” Gibbs said. “Colts need a balanced, 1:1 calcium/phosphorus ratio in their diet. And remember that free-choice supplements are a bad choice for young horses. We need to provide minerals in their feed to ensure adequate uptake.”

Even though young horses will require their own ration starting at two- to six-months of age, balancing the energy, protein and mineral content of their rations isn’t hard to do. A 16 percent commercial feed containing .7 percent lysine, .7 percent calcium, .5 percent phosphorus, about 3.4 percent crude fat, and about 6 percent crude fiber will do nicely for most weanlings, the specialist advised.

“If you use creep feeders, put the feeders close to where the mares eat but make sure the mares can’t get the colt’s creep feed,” he said. “Young horses eat light portions almost continually—they eat all day long. So, provide enough creep feeders and feed for every colt to get something to eat, regardless of the pecking order.”

Gibbs said colts can be weaned at four months of age with a good nutrient program. Once they start weaning, he suggested their ration should contain 70 percent concentrate and 30 percent roughage. It’s also a good idea to divide their daily ration into three portions and feed each portion at eight-hour intervals.

Also, weanling horses cannot thrive on pasture grass—they must receive their roughage requirement from hay. However, as weanlings become yearlings, rations can be adjusted to contain 50 percent concentrate and 50 percent roughage (hay or grass pasture). By this age, Gibbs said young horses typically exhibit moderate rather than rapid growth.

“How we feed, and the nutrients we feed, determines the success of any exercise program,” Gibbs said. “Stay away from feeding anabolic steroids—it just isn’t a good idea for young horses. You will be more successful, and your horses will be healthier, if you simply get them on a good, balanced feed and keep them on it year-round.”

Publications on horse management are available at local county Extension offices or on the Internet, http://animalscience-extension.tamu.edu.