feeding

Question
How much grain do you recommend feeding our little ones and how many times a day.  They have unlimited hay.

Answer
Little ones as in foals? Or just smaller sized? I do not do unlimited hay just gives them big hay bellys.I have no real pasture to speak of just minimal grazing. I base my feeding program on each individual horse. They are pretty much like people in that respect. Some take more to maintain weight some less. Their metabolisms are all so different. I feed a good quality grass alfalfa mix hay. I actually used to weigh it and the weight per horse varied between 1 and a half pounds to 2 pounds of hay twice a day. Sometimes if I am home during the day I give them literally a handful or so each for a snack. Again I watch each horse and see if they are gaining too much or losing. I do the same thing with my grain. In the winter I feed them each at least two cups of warm beet pulp along with a cup of a mare and foal feed which is actually a good balanced feed for all types. Stallions mares lactating foals and performance horses. I again lower the quantity according to the horse. I feed my foals the same amount as my full grown animals. And again if they are a bit lean I increase and if too fat decrease. I add a linseed meal and some flaxseed meal to their diets to promote good skin and coat. Also helps them shed in the summer. I usually give them a handful of each. Hope this helps. It is an art feeding these guys and once you figure out what works best for your individual animal then it is a snap! I am done from a bizillion minis to a herd now of 12 and they each are getting a different amount. Let me know if you have any furthur questions or if this isn't clear enough. Melissa