Weanling horses can and often are pushed nutritionally to very fast rates of gain. Because of this, they are more susceptible than older horses to nutritional problems. These problems arise because of the much higher required nutrients in young growing horses.

A fast growing weanling needs two times the percentage of protein in the diet as compared to a mature horse. When we meet this protein need, the requirements of other minerals are also increased. The most overlooked of these requirements are calcium and phosphorus which are needed to achieve strong bone structures. Without a concurrent increase in calcium and phosphorus, skeletal problems can arise.

A point should also be made that the final outcome in relationship to mature size will be the same, regardless of whether we push the weanling or let him grow more slowly. It will just take longer to reach the mature size.

Here are some rules of thumb to follow when feeding a weanling:

1. Feed grain at a rate of 1 to 1.5 lbs. per 100 lbs. of body weight daily.

2. Feed good quality roughage, preferably alfalfa, at the rate of at least 1 lb. per 100 lbs. of body weight. If the weanling fails to eat this amount, the grain should be reduced until he does.

3. If you are feeding alfalfa hay, supplement the grain with approximately 2 ounces of a 1 to 1 Cal-Phos ratio mineral. For example: 2 ounces of 12% calcium to 12% phosphorus mineral supplement; another approach would be to add 35 lbs. of this mineral per ton of feed.

4. If feeding grass hay, supplement with a mineral containing a 1.5 -2 to 1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus. For example: 1.5 ounces of dicalcium phosphate plus .5 ounce limestone (Di-cal Phos. is 24% calcium and 18% phosphorus and limestone is 33% calcium). Again one could also add 35 lbs. of dicalcium phosphate and 10 lbs. of limestone to a ton of feed.

5. If you are feeding grass hay, you will need to add 1 to 2 lbs. daily of a protein supplement, (for example: 44% soybean meal) to make up for the lesser protein content of grass hay. Reduce grain intake by 1 pound for every pound of protein supplement supplied. You may otherwise add 500 lbs. of protein supplement per ton of feed to meet this protein requirement.

6. Provide good quality water and trace mineral (red) salt; this trace mineral salt may be either in a block or loose form.

New information concerning the relationship of copper and developmental bone problems is currently making us look more closely at this mineral. Specifically, copper has been linked to Osteo Chondritis Dissicans (OCD). Because commercial grain mixes have copper added we anticipate seeing an advantage in feeding these over straight grain (Ex. oats) in lessening the incidence of these developmental skeletal problems.