Feeding the large, skinny, yearling baby to get to get ready for H.B. spring shows.

[QM2]

Hi,

I’m posting for a friend. She has a late July baby who is pretty big. He is 14.3 now and is a TB/WB cross.

He is going to be doing some of the up coming hunter breeding shows and he needs some weight. He’s pretty ribby.

He was gelded about 6 wks ago.
He’s been dewormed on a regular basis.
He eats free choice hay and eats 5 qts of Mare and Foal feed per day.

She was thinking of adding rice bran to help him gain some weight. Whatever she does, she wants to make sure not to wreck his joints.

So what would you guys add?

Thanks so much in advance for your help.

** PHOTO ADDED POST #18 **

[Laurierace]

My yearling eats ration balancer, alfalfa pellets, black oil sunflower seeds topped with rice bran oil and looks amazing.

[blackstallion2]

Wow- my TB gets only 1 qt oats, pasture and free choice grass hay. Granted he’s not a warmblood, but I would be leary of that much grain and the effect on joints. I like ration balancers also when pasture is in but have to be careul and watch for fluid in the joints. Try some cool calories, or higher fat grain. Go for quality over quantity if you can. Yearlings go through ribby growth spurts and tend to look rough even when they are healthy.

[EqTrainer]

[QUOTE=Laurierace;6215549]
My yearling eats ration balancer, alfalfa pellets, black oil sunflower seeds topped with rice bran oil and looks amazing.[/QUOTE]

Even with colitis, mine eats much the same minus fhe seeds and looks pretty good.

[QM2]

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies so far. I will be sure to pass them on.

I typed that he was eating 5 qts of grain and I meant to put 2 qts. Can’t read my own hand writing sometimes. Sorry for any confusion.

[LarkspurCO]

Tape worms?

Not all dewormers will kill them. Praziquantel is one that will.

[QM2]

[QUOTE=LarkspurCO;6216366]
Tape worms?

Not all dewormers will kill them. Praziquantel is one that will.[/QUOTE]

He was done with Equimax in the fall.

[Callaway]

I would definitely add fat, like rice bran, if he’s already getting the recommended amount of feed. I would also make sure he’s getting a high quality feed that is made for young, growing horses that is low in starches.

[Laurierace]

This was taken a couple weeks ago.

[imajacres]

fish oil.
And where you are, is Dr Green out yet?
I am not a big supporter of the line class look for growing youngsters.
Ribs are not evil.
Think of it as growing teenagers kids, they get lanky too, you wouldnt make them gain roundness would you?

Just read- this horse is a July baby? He will have to show against early year babies- he wont ever look as mature.

[blackpearl]

gorgeous picts Laurierace!!

Mine is still yak and ribby (wormed and just put on rice bran pellets) but I would prefer it that way. He was an April foal who lost mom at 7 weeks…doing great, has HUGE joints (WBx) and can’t wait to see him shed out whenever the weather decides what it’s going to finally do…

[EqTrainer]

Speaking of deworming, was that the LAST time he was dewormed :eek: ?

[QM2]

[QUOTE=EqTrainer;6216775]
Speaking of deworming, was that the LAST time he was dewormed :eek: ?[/QUOTE]

No, its not. He is on a 6 wk rotation. I was just specially asked about tapes.

Imajacres - grass is starting to really come in now and she is hoping that helps.

We know it will be tough against all of the much older yearling but we want him to look HIS best without harming his joints. That’s why I came to
the experts.

[My3Sons]

I swear by the Purina Ultium…High Fat & Fiber…I believe they have a Ultium Growth?

Free Choice Hay:-)

[cyriz_s_mom]

Foals should be wormed monthly from about 1 month to 1 year. If he’s been on a 6 week rotation, he may indeed be wormy.

I would add fat as others have suggested. Not a lot more protein. But I wouldn’t really to fatten him up. More shine him up. Besides, he may look completely different in a month or two on his own.

[mpsbarnmanager]

[QUOTE=cyriz’s mom;6217038]
Foals should be wormed monthly from about 1 month to 1 year. If he’s been on a 6 week rotation, he may indeed be wormy.

I would add fat as others have suggested. Not a lot more protein. But I wouldn’t really to fatten him up. More shine him up. Besides, he may look completely different in a month or two on his own.[/QUOTE]

My vet just told me not to deworm my foal until it is at least 4 months old, and then not to over-do it, because they are seeing a lot of resistance to most wormers on the market. Maybe do a fecal and see?

[Laurierace]

Mine get hit with a double dose by weight starting at 4 weeks all the way through 12 months. The only thing I don’t double dose is ivermectin.

[QM2]

Baby in question:

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2752663050106492562yELlKH

[rideagoldenpony]

IMO, it will take at LEAST 90 days (being fed up) to get from where he is now to show condition. Maybe 120.

[Laurierace]

I keep telling myself if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all but that is easier said than done on a discussion board. I would get the vet involved because that horse needs a lot of help.