CARE OF YOUNG
HORSES
QUESTION: How much hay do I give weanlings and
yearlings? As in pound of feed per horse? I don’t feed
grain. I think they are too fat already without the grain.
Also their manure is quite runny. I’m guessing it is worms,
so how much dewormer do I give them?
ANSWER: These are young horses not mature adults.
Young growing horses need more feed than mature adults in
order to maintain growth and develop well. I feed all the
roughage (hay) to young growing horses that they can eat. In
fact it is best to have hay in front of them 24 hours a day
in a feeder (self fed). I do not know what the breeding is
of your horses but "Self Feeding" is a good "Rule Of Thumb"
except for some pony breeds which may indeed get to fat.
How much feed DEPENDS totally on the Quality and
Type of hay. Is it Grass hay or Alfalfa? What is the protein
content? It is first cut or second cut? Was it cut and baled
at the correct time of growth or left standing to long so it
is mostly stalks and stems without much nutritional quality
left? Grain SHOULD be given also if the hay is not of
the best quality. They also need a salt block and a
Mineral/Vitamin block or supplement. Some Mineral/Vitamin
blocks or supplements have the necessary amount of salt
added to them so then you would take away the salt block.
And very important is good clean water available to them, 24
hours a day. And a shelter or barn to protect them from the
whether.
Manure can be runny for several reasons. Although worms
could be the cause, generally it is the type of feed causing
it. Occasionally it is disease or illness.
