Young Horse Nutrition: Separating Fact from Fiction
By Annie Emery, MS CRC CESMT CENA
What Do We Mean by “Young Horse”?
When we talk about young horses in the context of nutrition, we’re referring to horses that are 24 months or younger. This category includes several stages (weanlings, yearlings, and long yearlings). A horse’s age, growth phase, and body condition play significant roles in determining its dietary needs.
For example, a five-month-old weanling eats very differently from a nine-month-old yearling. Even within the same age group, body condition scoring is crucial. A six-month-old underweight foal will require a different diet than an overweight foal of the same age.
Myth 1: Young Horses Are Just Mini Adults
This is one of the most persistent misconceptions in equine nutrition. Feeding a young horse like an adult—possibly a ration balancer, hay, and nothing more—can result in nutrient deficiencies or imbalances that may stunt growth or cause developmental issues.
Young horses have significantly higher nutritional needs due to rapid growth. They require more protein, vitamins, minerals, and, yes, even starch.
For instance:
A 1,000-pound adult horse in light work may need around 630 grams of protein daily.
A 500-pound eight-month-old weanling, however, requires 717 grams of protein daily, despite being smaller.
This increased demand for protein and other nutrients is essential for building bones, muscles, organs, and tissues. The bottom line? Young horses are not mini adults—they’re growing bodies with unique needs.
Myth 2: High Protein Diets Cause Growth Problems
Decades ago, many believed that high-protein diets led to developmental orthopedic diseases (DODs) in young horses. Thankfully, research has debunked this myth. The real culprits behind growth issues are often:
Excessive caloric intake
High starch feeds
Mineral imbalances, particularly in calcium and phosphorus
Protein itself is not the enemy—it’s an essential component of growth. Restricting protein can impair skeletal development, reduce feed intake, and slow overall growth. The key is balance and quality.
Myth 3: Grass or Hay Alone Is Enough
Grass and hay are foundational to a horse’s diet, but for a growing young horse, they’re not enough. Forage often lacks adequate levels of vitamins, minerals, and protein necessary for healthy development—particularly copper, zinc, and selenium.
This is where a fortified concentrate feed comes in, bridging the nutritional gaps to ensure young horses thrive. While forage should always be the base of a horse’s diet, it’s not sufficient on its own for any horse, foal, or pony.
Myth 4: Rapid Growth Should Be Avoided at All Costs
Yes, excessive rapid growth can be problematic. However, underfeeding to slow growth can lead to long-term health consequences. The goal is steady, healthy growth, which requires monitoring body condition and adjusting the diet frequently—sometimes every two to four weeks.
Myth 5: Young Horses Can Eat All the Concentrate They Want
This is a dangerous misconception. Overfeeding concentrate can lead to digestive issues, nutrient imbalances, and developmental problems. Portion sizes must be proportional to the horse’s size and growth stage.
Myth 6: Supplements Are Unnecessary in a Balanced Diet
While a high-quality balanced feed and excellent forage meet most of a young horse’s nutritional needs, there are exceptions. Working with a nutrition professional ensures your horse gets exactly what it needs without over-relying on unnecessary supplements.
Myth 7: Weanlings and Yearlings Have the Same Needs
Weanlings and yearlings have different nutritional requirements. A weanling has higher nutrient demands due to rapid growth, with peak bone development occurring between 3 and 8 months. Diets for young horses should be adjusted regularly to reflect their growth rate and body condition.
Myth 8: All Foals Need Creep Feeding
Creep feeding (offering solid food before weaning) isn’t universally required. For many foals, a mare’s milk and access to quality pasture are sufficient. However, in cases where milk is inadequate or a foal has higher nutritional needs, creep feeding can be beneficial. Always consult a veterinarian if you have concerns over a mare’s milk production.
Myth 9: Mineral Blocks Provide Enough Nutrition
Mineral blocks are insufficient for a young horse’s high nutritional needs. They’re imprecise—horses may lick too much or not enough. Instead, opt for a well-balanced feed program designed to meet all six classifications of nutrients.
Myth 10: All Horses Grow at the Same Rate
Growth rates vary by breed, genetics, and environment. Feeding programs must be tailored to each horse’s unique needs, making consistent monitoring and adjustments critical.
Myth 11: Balancers Are Always the Answer
Ration balancers can be a useful tool in some situations but aren’t a universal solution. They should be used with care and as part of a well-rounded feeding program.
Myth 12: Alfalfa Alone Is Perfect for Young Horses
While alfalfa provides valuable nutrients, feeding it exclusively can lead to imbalances, particularly in calcium and phosphorus ratios. Excessive calcium can interfere with the absorption of other critical nutrients like phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc.
Conclusion: A Science-Backed Approach to Young Horse Nutrition
Feeding young horses is both an art and a science. It requires careful planning, regular adjustments, and a focus on providing balanced, high-quality nutrition. Avoiding common myths and misconceptions is key to supporting healthy growth and development. Always verify and fact check all sources!
If you have questions or need help designing a feeding program, reach out to annie@revolutionequinenutrition.com to setup a consultation today!
Copyright Revolution Equine Nutrition, LLC.