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Feeding weanlings to 1 year of age

Desired growth rate of weanlings is dependent on breed, and likely purpose for the individual; i.e. sale as yearling, raise for your own use, or raise as a breeding animal. In general the growth rate should be monitored using a weight tape on a monthly basis to ensure that the weanling is growing at a moderate but not too rapid a rate. Actual rate of growth will usually be from 1.3 to 1.8 pounds per day. Thoroughbred, Quarter Horses, and such mature more quickly than Warmbloods.

With average hay or pasture a 16% grain ration (Phase l) or after 10 months of age, a combination of a foal ration and a 14% growing ration will give satisfactory growth. Be sure that good levels of trace minerals are supplied by using a grain mix formulated for growth.

Phase 1, and Phase ll are formulated with low glycemic ingredients to minimize the possibility of growth problems.

Feeding rate of weanling grain rations

Average size light horses- 1 to 1.1 lb. per 100 lbs. of bodyweight over at least 2 feedings. This will be approximately 1 pound per month of age up to a maximum of 8-9 pounds/day. More grain, particularly those high in starches will result in faster growth but increase the possibility of growth problems such as OCD.

The use of GroTrac or Can Trac to monitor growth is an excellent management tool.

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