Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
Welcome to my forum.
Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information.
Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you.
Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought.
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All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hi Mariana,
Thank you for writing. I would make a few adjustments to your feeding plan:
1. Discontinue feeding corn. This is very poorly digested and can therefore, end up in the hind gut where it can lead to laminitis.
2. Feed alfalfa -- either hay, pellets, or cubes (broken into small pieces). Feed approximately 20 to 30% of his hay ration.
3. Feed a good quality grass hay since you mentioned that your fresh grass pasture is not very good. Grass hay is the basis of his diet and he should have all he wants.
4. Add some lysine to the diet since he is growing. He should have at least 44 grams per day, so having your hay evaluated would be helpful.
You mentioned a protein supplement -- this may or may not be appropriate. He really could benefit from a vitamin/mineral supplement designed for growth.
Make sure he has a plain, white salt block at all times, and clean water free of algae growth, insects, and bird droppings.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO