Posted 2010-07-20 10:11 AM (#122600) Subject: Getting a colt to eat grain!!
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Portland Tn
Hi. Im needing some suggestions on how we can get a 4 month old colt to eat grain? She is eating a little bit from my hand. We bought this colt when she was about 2 weeks old, the owner of the mare then sold her to another man who was supposed to keep the colt till she was weaned. Well now at 4 months he is wanting us to get her. She is eating grass and hay ok, but not eating alot of grain. We are trying to let her nurse at least once a day as well. They have her separated from the mare. We really dont want to take her home till she is eating grain good but he is wanting her gone. She is a fairly large colt and the mare seems to be trying to wean her already anyway... any suggestions??? Really dont want to replacement milk in all the heat. We are feeding her Omelene 300. Thanks for any info!!
Posted 2010-07-20 11:14 AM (#122604 - in reply to #122600) Subject: RE: Getting a colt to eat grain!!
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Foals need time to start replacing moms milk with solid food such as grain/pellets. Thats why the process of weaning is over several weeks.If the foal is eating grass and hay as well as drinking water and keeping good weight then he is probably ok ( if there is a big belly I would lay off the hay in favor of grass). I would suggest offering some grain free choice meaning the foal can access it anytime it wants rather than just at feeding time. Make sure other horses cannot eat it and offer a small amount so that it stays fresh. You'll know when the foal is ready for more just by how much is leftover at the end of 24 hrs. If the foal can stay on momma for a while longer, that would be good IMO but when the foal is no longer nursing he will start looking for something else and if there is grain nearby that will do. Just keep in mind the have a smaller stomach as compared to adult horses. Keep in mind foals should grow slowly so avoid a high protein diet. They can literally outgrow themselves meaning the bones start growing faster than the joints will take. Certain breeds have bigger problems with this than others-warmbloods,TB and QH come to mind.
Posted 2010-07-20 12:20 PM (#122607 - in reply to #122604) Subject: RE: Getting a colt to eat grain!!
New User
Posts: 2
Location: Portland Tn
Thanks for the info! We are thinking about trying to lightly spread the grain over her hay. And maybe she will get used to it. We have started out with a couple handfuls and just want to work our way up from there. She is a TWH and looks like she will be about 16H if not taller. So she is tall and doesnt have a big belly at all so hay shouldnt be a problem. We are trying to hold off till Saturday anyway before we bring her home and least give her a couple more days of being able to nurse at least once a day. We have left her grain in with her and if she is eating its not much. We were wanting and expecting her to stay with the mare till she was at least 6 months old. In our opinion that is about the time they need to be weaned. But being in the situation that we are, we are having to look at other options. We have also thought if its not there to nurse then natural instinct will take over and she will look for something to eat. Thanks again for your response!
Posted 2010-07-20 3:27 PM (#122617 - in reply to #122600) Subject: RE: Getting a colt to eat grain!!
Expert
Posts: 1723 Location: michigan
Without the milk the foal will likely start eating more grain. I wouldn't put it on hay it will simply sift down. Just make sure she has access to a feed box or pail with a bit in it. Foals can be weaned at 4 months and if the foal has access to good pasture and hay, they will alright.
Getting a colt to eat grain!!
