Raising young horses is an exciting journey! You get to watch their personalities blossom and see them develop into strapping, mature athletes. Proper nutrition during this period, however, is key. You need to be feeding them the right nutrients at the right stages of their development for healthy growth. Let’s review young horse nutrition, from the weanling to 2-year-old phase.
Weanlings: Transitioning From Milk to Solid Food
Weanlings, typically around 4-11 months old, are at a pivotal point in their development. They’ve just weaned off their mother’s milk and are starting to adapt to solid foods. During this time, you’ll want to focus on making sure they’re getting the right balance of energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Like all horses, high-quality forage (grass and hay) should be the foundation of a weanling diet. It provides the fiber necessary for healthy digestion. Along with hay, weanlings need a concentrate feed formulated for young, growing horses. Look for a foal-specific feed that includes the appropriate amount of nutrients (especially protein, fat, and minerals) for bone and muscle development. Weanlings usually need more protein than older horses because their bodies are growing rapidly.
Yearlings: Building Strength and Muscle
At one year, your horse is no longer a baby, but he’s also not quite a teenager. Yearlings are growing rapidly in both height and muscle mass, and their diets should reflect this. Continue to provide good-quality hay at all times. Ideally, young horses graze throughout the day to support their growing digestive system. Being on pasture also provides the exercise that’s crucial for musculoskeletal development.
Yearlings need a higher-calorie diet than adult horses at maintenance to match their increased activity levels and muscle growth. Choose a balanced feed designed for growth and development. Look for feeds that contain about 14-16% protein, as well as proper amounts of calcium and phosphorus. These nutrients are vital for bone and muscle development.
A word of caution: Overfeeding yearlings can lead to excessive growth, which can cause bone and joint problems down the line. Aim for steady, moderate growth rather than rapid growth and weight gain. Keep an eye on your youngster’s body condition to make sure he’s not putting on too much (or too little!) weight.
2-Year-Olds: Preparing for the Next Chapter
By the time your horse is 2, he should be starting to look like an adult horse. He’ll still have some growing to do, however, as his bones and muscles continue to mature. A 2-year-old’s diet should continue to support steady growth, with more emphasis toward maintaining good condition and preparing for future athletic demands. You might be able to transition your horse to a feed that’s a bit lower in protein than the one he was on as a yearling. Look for something in the range of 12-14% protein. Be sure to take into consideration the type of forage you are feeding, as they vary greatly in protein and energy content. You want to balance your forage with the appropriate concentrate feed.
At age 2, many young horses are ready to start light training and under-saddle work. In this case, you’ll need to adjust your horse’s nutrition to reflect increased activity. A young horse in work will need more energy to keep up with the demands of training, but don’t go overboard—maintain a good balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates to support muscle development without encouraging excessive weight gain.
General Tips for Feeding Growing Horses
Regardless of your young horse’s age, follow these smart diet strategies to set him up for future success:
- Maintain a consistent feeding routine for healthy digestion.
- Offer forage—be it continuous grazing or free-choice hay—throughout the day for fiber and digestion.
- Feed by weight, not volume, and know how much hay and grain you’re feeding in pounds. A scoop of pelleted feed, for instance, won’t weigh the same as a scoop of extruded feed.
- Regularly assess your youngster’s body condition and adjust feed amounts accordingly. Overfeeding can lead to developmental issues, while underfeeding can slow growth.
- Avoid overfeeding grain and ensure your horse gets the correct ratio of nutrients by following the recommended feeding rate on the product’s label.
- Schedule regular checkups with your veterinarian to monitor your horse’s joints, weight, development, and overall health.
- Always provide plenty of clean, fresh water.
- Young, growing horses might need nutritional supplements to fill in any vitamin and mineral gaps in their diets. Your veterinarian, nutritionist, or feed representative can help you determine if your horse needs one.
Raising a foal into adulthood is a delicate but rewarding process. By feeding your young horse the right balance of nutrients and keeping his growth steady, you’ll help him develop into a healthy, strong adult. Work with your veterinarian and an equine nutritionist at all stages of your horse’s growth to ensure he’s getting the nutrition he needs.
Related Reading: Designing the Right Diet for Your Horse’s Life Stage
This article is brought to you by Sentinel Horse Feed.
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