The Horse spotlights balanced feeding for young, growing horses
CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: The Horse has published a sponsored educational article, “10 Tips for Feeding Young, Growing Horses,” outlining practical nutrition guidance for horses from weaning through early training. Published March 11, 2026, the piece emphasizes gradual introduction of concentrates, steady rather than rapid growth, and careful balancing of protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals to avoid overfeeding and reduce the risk of developmental orthopedic disease. It also fits with the broader horse-media emphasis on feeding for controlled growth instead of maximum gain, using forage as the foundation of the ration, and adjusting diets as young horses mature. The article aligns with long-standing guidance from the American Association of Equine Practitioners and university extension sources, which similarly stress forage-first feeding, dividing concentrates into multiple meals, monitoring body condition, and maintaining an appropriate calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in growing horses. (thehorse.com)
Why it matters: For equine veterinarians and nutrition-focused practices, the article is a reminder that growth management is still one of the most important preventive conversations with horse-focused pet parents. Extension guidance notes that foals aged 3 to 9 months are at greatest risk for developmental orthopedic disorders, and that rapid catch-up growth, excess dietary energy, or mineral imbalances can worsen skeletal problems. Related equine nutrition resources also note that simply cutting protein is not an effective DOD-prevention strategy and that balanced rations plus normal exercise are part of healthy development. That makes routine ration review, weight tracking, and early education around balanced commercial feeds or properly formulated rations especially relevant during weaning and yearling development. (extension.umn.edu)
What to watch: Expect continued sponsored and educational coverage around young-horse nutrition as practices, feed companies, and equine media keep focusing on DOD prevention, ration balancing, conservative growth targets, and early-life growth monitoring. (thehorse.com)