[MyBelgianAzzy]

I need some ideas on what to feed my new boy. He's nearly 18 months old, not quite. He's half friesian, quarter clyde, quarter TB (tired of hearing that yet? ). I know Clydes and Friesians are both slow growers, so I want to support his growth, bones, and joints... without risking the diseases and disorders associated with fast growth.

My barn currently feeds a "waste" grain from a local feed mill. There isn't much nutritional about it, and I think it's a waste to feed. It's fine for Azzy (who does nothing and doesn't require anything beyond unlimited hay and pasture), but not, in my opinion, for a growing horse.

The feeds in my area that are readily available are Kent (Legends, Triple Crown), and Purina (Ultium, Omelene, Strategy). Those aren't all inclusive lists, just some I could think of out of those brands.

Thank you for your time,

Angelina

[Sue B]

Triple Crown is a superior feed IMO. I would recommend that you supplement with their 30% supplement (ration balancer) if you are feeidng grass hay...they also have one for alfalfa hay. According to Dr. Sarh Ralston (leading researcher of nutrition in growing horses) yearlings and beyond do not need a youth feed. There growth is to the point where they need only hay/grass and vit/min supplementation to provide the nutrients needed for growth at that stage. I use a mix of a non-grain feed, rice bran and ration balancer until yearling and then slowly switch to just the ration balancer and rice bran if needed for weight after a year....we have Percheron/TB crosses.

Ration balancers are superior to feeding just a vit/min mix. They contain added amino acids, higher levels of quality protein, are better balanced to complement hay/grass, and some have added things that vit/min mixes do not such as yeast/digestive aids, kelp for micro-nutrients and other things. The correct levels of protein and minerals are your biggest concern in growth stages. IMO, ration balancers address those needs very well in an easy to feed and small amount of feed program.

[MyBelgianAzzy]

Sue, thank you kindly for your response. Do you have any idea how much TC 30% I would feed a day? He is (approx) 15 hands... 750 lbs?

[rageandglory]

i am not sure on the amount to feed but i wholeheartedly support SueB's opinion on Triple Crown products. i have my own personal experience with them and have no complaints whatsoever, just fat, happy, healthy horses : ).

[BettyBootsy]

With ours that are fixing to go too 2 yr olds in training sale or Keenland yearlings We will feed Equine Jr. you feed the amount that you would want him to be. We will do this about 2 months before a sale or show and it also makes them grow more even. You know how colts can grow all funky lookin.

[imacowgirl2]

Originally Posted by MyBelgianAzzy

Sue, thank you kindly for your response. Do you have any idea how much TC 30% I would feed a day? He is (approx) 15 hands... 750 lbs?

You'd have to look at the bag for the exact amount, but my guess is its going to be somewhere around 2 lbs/day...we feed a different ration balancer that you feed 1.5-2 lbs/day for maintenance horses, and up to 3.5 lbs/day for growing weanlings, then it tapers off again somewhere around the yearling mark, so just read the bag

[Sue B]

Originally Posted by MyBelgianAzzy

Sue, thank you kindly for your response. Do you have any idea how much TC 30% I would feed a day? He is (approx) 15 hands... 750 lbs?

Recommended amounts for most ration balancers is 1-2 lbs/day. If you find that you need more calories for weight management, you can then add rice bran, BOSS and/or a forage alternative such as beet plup or forage cubes/pellets.

[Morri]

Have you tried adding calf manna equine? I absolutely LOVE it!

Calf-Manna is a proven concentrated supplement for several species of animals that, when added to ordinary daily rations, makes a big difference in overall performance.
Calf-Manna is fed to everything from growing and performance horses, to cattle, rabbits, goats, poultry and swine.
First introduced in the 1930s,
Calf-Manna still ranks at the top of its class today. This innovative product was the first pelleted concentrate. Made from the finest ingredients, it's highly palatable, highly digestible, and an outstanding protein and energy supplement. At Manna Pro, we know what quality ingredients and consistent formulation can do!
Besides being an excellent source of protein and energy,
Calf-Manna's palatability has made it the preferred product by successful breeders, trainers, and producers for keeping their animals on feed-a major concern during times of stress.
Here's an overview of just what makes Calf-Manna, with its high quality proteins and consumption-enhancing features, such an outstanding supplement for your animals:
Anise, a flavor agent that provides an inviting aroma and taste, encourages consistent feed intake helping animals get started and stay on feed.
Calf-Manna provides an array of amino acids from multiple protein sources, which are essential for growth and reproduction.
Yeast is included to aid in the healthy function of the digestive system and to encourage intake.
Calf-Manna provides highly digestible carbohydrates from multiple sources, providing your animals with an excellent source of energy.
Linseed, long used for skin and coat conditioning, offers protein and oil to diversify the amino acid and fatty acid composition.
For over 70 years, Calf-Manna has been fed with outstanding results. Many competitors have tried to copy it, but Calf-Manna's formula remains unchanged and unique, making it the preferred product by more professionals.

[BettyBootsy]

Originally Posted by Morri

Have you tried adding calf manna equine? I absolutely LOVE it!

Calf-Manna is a proven concentrated supplement for several species of animals that, when added to ordinary daily rations, makes a big difference in overall performance.
Calf-Manna is fed to everything from growing and performance horses, to cattle, rabbits, goats, poultry and swine.
First introduced in the 1930s,
Calf-Manna still ranks at the top of its class today. This innovative product was the first pelleted concentrate. Made from the finest ingredients, it's highly palatable, highly digestible, and an outstanding protein and energy supplement. At Manna Pro, we know what quality ingredients and consistent formulation can do!
Besides being an excellent source of protein and energy,
Calf-Manna's palatability has made it the preferred product by successful breeders, trainers, and producers for keeping their animals on feed-a major concern during times of stress.
Here's an overview of just what makes Calf-Manna, with its high quality proteins and consumption-enhancing features, such an outstanding supplement for your animals:
Anise, a flavor agent that provides an inviting aroma and taste, encourages consistent feed intake helping animals get started and stay on feed.
Calf-Manna provides an array of amino acids from multiple protein sources, which are essential for growth and reproduction.
Yeast is included to aid in the healthy function of the digestive system and to encourage intake.
Calf-Manna provides highly digestible carbohydrates from multiple sources, providing your animals with an excellent source of energy.
Linseed, long used for skin and coat conditioning, offers protein and oil to diversify the amino acid and fatty acid composition.
For over 70 years, Calf-Manna has been fed with outstanding results. Many competitors have tried to copy it, but Calf-Manna's formula remains unchanged and unique, making it the preferred product by more professionals.

Ditto!

[MyBelgianAzzy]

Originally Posted by rageandglory

i am not sure on the amount to feed but i wholeheartedly support SueB's opinion on Triple Crown products. i have my own personal experience with them and have no complaints whatsoever, just fat, happy, healthy horses : ).

Thank you for the info! I have used TC Complete in the past, and couldn't have been happier. I have no qualms about using their rations balancer.

Originally Posted by BettyBootsy

With ours that are fixing to go too 2 yr olds in training sale or Keenland yearlings We will feed Equine Jr. you feed the amount that you would want him to be. We will do this about 2 months before a sale or show and it also makes them grow more even. You know how colts can grow all funky lookin.

Shoot, so that's what happened to Azzy...

Originally Posted by imacowgirl2

You'd have to look at the bag for the exact amount, but my guess is its going to be somewhere around 2 lbs/day...we feed a different ration balancer that you feed 1.5-2 lbs/day for maintenance horses, and up to 3.5 lbs/day for growing weanlings, then it tapers off again somewhere around the yearling mark, so just read the bag

A girl after my own heart! I can- and will- do that!

Originally Posted by Sue B

Recommended amounts for most ration balancers is 1-2 lbs/day. If you find that you need more calories for weight management, you can then add rice bran, BOSS and/or a forage alternative such as beet plup or forage cubes/pellets.

Because nothing is as easy as it looks. I'm hoping between the 1/2 mile pasture of green grass and the hay he'll get I won't need to stack on a bunch of foodstuffs.

Originally Posted by Morri

Have you tried adding calf manna equine? I absolutely LOVE it!

I HAVE used Calf Manna... I can't say anything about general experiences with the product, but I used it on my QH and TB at the same time. The TB coliced a few times before coming off it, and the QH had the episode that landed me in the ICU.