Feed Management for Sales or Halter Yearlings: Keep the Individual in Mind

Yearlings headed for sales or halter classes are in some ways easier to feed than weanlings. Because these horses are at least 12 months of age, there should be a lower chance of causing skeletal problems as the fitting program is begun. Yearlings do best on a 13-14% protein ration balanced for fat, macro- and microminerals, and water-soluble vitamins. Feeding rates for yearlings are extremely variable depending on growth history, skeletal size, individual metabolism, actual age in months, and availability and quality of forage.

In the preparation of sales yearlings, feed intakes may range from 2 lb/day (1 kg) of a supplement pellet to 16 lb/day (7.25 kg) of a fortified sweet or pelleted feed. Generally, it seems to take more feed to get a colt fit than it does for a filly. What works in the feeding program for one yearling may totally miss the mark for another. In addition to concentrates, yearlings need to have high-quality hay cut in an early stage of maturity.

Beside hay and grain, there are some tools of the trade that fall into the nutrition category. An important element is supplemental fat, either vegetable oil alone or a mixture of vegetable oil and animal fat. Using at least 4 oz (0.11 kg) per day of an unsaturated fat high in essential fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, and arachidonic acids) is preferable to using only saturated fats. The manner in which the fat is provided in the diet is a choice for the horseman, but in many instances it may be preferable to top-dress the fat rather than to use a fat-added feed. The amount of fat that is appropriate to use is going to be highly individual. This is due to the fact that there are two main reasons to use fat, the hair effect and the energy effect.

Two oz (0.05 kg) of vegetable fat per day will take care of improving the coat appearance. The energy source rationale is the interesting application of fat. A suggested use of high levels of fat intake in the yearling is to reduce the amount of starch that must be fed to achieve a specified energy intake. When a yearling’s ration reaches 10 lb (4.5 kg) of feed, owners should begin to consider the advantages of supplemental fat. Big, rugged, raw-boned yearlings can consume as much as 12 oz (0.33 kg) of vegetable oil per day with no detrimental effect.

In addition to fat, many prep and show rations will contain beet pulp. By using beet pulp as a feed ingredient, one can reduce the amount of starch that a horse has to consume while maintaining relatively high levels of energy intake. It is probable that beet pulp, a source of readily digestible fiber, is digested predominantly in the hindgut and absorbed as volatile fatty acids. This contributes to the maintenance of cecal homeostasis by reducing the amount of undigested starch that may enter the cecum. Most suitable rations will contain 10% beet pulp (shreds, not pellets) and may go as high as 25% beet pulp in the concentrate ration. At least for a time, one will notice loose feces in many horses that are put on beet pulp. This increase in fecal moisture is totally innocuous and usually does not persist more than a week.

It is important to see each horse as an individual and feed accordingly. Big, scopey, precocious individuals sometimes seem almost to prep themselves. Keep them out of the sun and avoid injuries. On 8 to 10 lb (3.6 to 4.5 kg) of grain, good hay, and moderate exercise, they will be attractive additions to any consignment. Thin, weedy yearlings will require as much energy as possible in order to gain condition for sale. This type of horse will need additional daily feedings, and alternate forms of energy, like oil and beet pulp, should be considered. On the other hand, some overly fat individuals seem to stay chubby, no matter how much their intake is limited. They need to maintain their intake of roughage, and a pelleted ration balancer may be used to satisfy protein requirements. Controlled exercise is also needed.