[Jess!]

Since BOSS has such a high level of protein, how much should be fed to a young horse, if any at all? The age I'm asking about is for a 2.5 year old, 3 in May gelding.

I feed about two cups a day to my 4.5 year old, also. Is that too much protien?

[Sue B]

That would be hard to say without knowing several other things. In general, you will probably be starting to do some work with the horse soon, so you will most likely be looking at feeding a little more protein as recommended for a working horse. That would be around 700 grams/day. If you are feeding a standard grass hay at the usual amounts, then that will be supplying the bulk of your protein needs. Generally, the protein level will be in the 7-8% range, but it could be much lower. Then, if you are feeding a couple of pounds/day of a standard horse feed at 10-12%....and nothing else.....adding 2 cups of BOSS (6.4 oz) adds about 38 grams of protein.....not very much in the grand skeem of things.

In general, I start feeding BOSS in small amounts 1/4-1/2 cup/day to my 6 month old weanlings. I increase that amount until they are getting about 1 cup/day at 1 year and by 2 years, they get the same as the other horses (2 cups/day). I also balance that against flax (1/2 cup/day)

[Friesiangirl]

i don't think that is too much protein, i think it's just about right

[Jess!]

I feed straight alfalfa to my horses, and that tends to be high protein, so I was just wondering.

[Sue B]

Then feeding a smaller amount of BOSS will not be harmful. I would recommend feeding more like a cup or 1 1/2 cups/day rather than 2 cups. But, that 38 grams of protein in 2 cups is still not very much compared to the total amount that you need.

[Jess!]

THanks Sue! Appreciate it!