[Krystan]

How many of you feed grain to your foals? I've heard it is better not to unless they have to be raced or something when they are young. Because feeding them grain makes them grow fast and that's bad for them and can cause bone and joint problems later.

<small>[ January 29, 2004, 08:23 AM: Message edited by: Krystan ]</small>

[Snowywood]

I let mine eat with their mom when they want to then when I wean them they get their grain according to their weight

[HalterGirl_88]

Our foals are not fed grain until they are weaned. They may snitch a little from their mom but that's all.

[Miss Thunder]

We do the same as Snowywood. The mare gets her grain, and if the foal happens to stick it's head in the bucket and grab a mouthfull, good for it. Usually the mother doesn't let them eat overly much (they want their grain too! LOL), so I never worry about the foals colicking.

[Lou3]

We dont let our foals sneak grain for their first two weeks at least in case of colic, after that they can sneak grain from their mothers if they're quick enough but they dont get any of their own til weaning, and then we prefer to feed as little grain as possible, good quality hay and grass is better. We put them on a youngstock complete mix if they dont put on enough weight or if the hay/grass isnt available. Most of our foals are native breeds though, tbs etc might need different feeding.
Lou

[Dawn]

I know what you're talking about Krystan. I believe that Jane actually went through this with two foals. If she drops back in, maybe she'll throw in her two cents worth. As I understood it, it comes from getting too much protein.

[Krystan]

Yeah I think too much protein is what I heard too.
Who's Jane?

[spyro1]

Candygirl is Jane, sorry krystin, she was a member before you joined and then she left, she did drop back in for a post earlier today Actually, too much protein can be easily avoided, IMO, when feeding foals, there are grains specified for foals, Equine Junior, being one of them, it is balanced in proteins, vitamins, minerals, etc. Too much protein can lead to ocd and epyphisitis. There was a app colt at my old barn that was fed 16% sweet feed and alfalfa hay eek! Now THAT is way way too much, his joints were the size of watermelons and I don't think I have ever heard my vet reprimand someone like he did the owner..Foals are also just fine on diets of 10% grain and T&A hay. I would, however, reccomend a supplement of Dicalcium Phosphate to ensure they are getting everything they need calcium wise wink

[Blistering Winds]

2 weeks is avg age from what I know to even SEE a foal sneak a bite here and there. Usually they start with hay long before grain sneaking. But some get brave early.

Letting them sneak a bite here and there is ok. As long as it isn't gorging themselves. Feed in a small bucket just big enough for the mare to get her nose in helps prevent the foal from getting too much. Many mares get really protective of their grain and WILL run their foals off. No biggie.

Around 3-4 months, you can start creep feeding them. Helps with the weaning process. If they can eat grain on their own and hay on their own with no issues, it makes it MUCH easier to wean them cause they'll eat the grain and not get too underweight from the weaning. Some farms I've seen wean them before ever introducing grain before, then wonder why the foals aren't eating.

[CANDYGIRL]

Yeh, I protein poisoned my foals Thought I was doing right, giving them a good start, because they came off their Moms very young.)

They developed what's commonly know as 'toe dancing' - this is where the bones grow quicker than the tendons and ligaments, hence pulling, and giving the apprearance that they are walking on their tips of their toes.

I had to cut all grain, milk pellets out of their diet, and just feed chaff and carrots, plus their hay. After a few months things sorted out. Sometime an operation is needed, but this wasn't the case with Mouse and Tosh.

I think these foals were took off their Moms way to early for their breed, (Welsh A's) they were 20ish weeks. I know some breeds are hand raised, but to do this, you should realy know what you are doing, or if Mom dies - you have no choice.
Differnt breeds have differnet needs, the Welsh are hardy doers anyway, and if in the Wild, would not have anything but mom milk and grass, and she would decide when to wean.

I was killing them with kindness, lesson learnt.