X-rays of young horses – and why feeding is at least as important

Autumn is the perfect time to have your young horse x-rayed for growth disorders such as OCD (joint deformity). Many veterinarians recommend an examination when the horse is around 1½ years old – or earlier if problems are suspected, or if the horse is to be bought, sold or insured.

It can be a great advantage to have the horse examined before it goes into training. Otherwise, you risk permanent changes, gallstones or challenges when selling and insuring. And if the X-ray results indicate the need for surgery, autumn is a good time - because rehabilitation and boxing rest can be fitted in over the winter.

But no matter what the X-ray shows, there is one area that always plays a major role: feeding.

The young horse in growth – feeding is the key to strong joints

During the growth period, the horse needs more than just energy. It needs the right building blocks to support muscles, bones, joints and cartilage:

• Protein – for muscles, tendons and tissues
• Minerals – especially calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc and magnesium for bones and joints
• Fiber and omega-3 fatty acids – for stable development, digestion and balance

If these areas are not covered, the risk of imbalances increases, which can put strain on joints and cartilage and cause problems later in life.

Copper – an important building block in the young horse's joints

Research shows that copper plays a central role in the development and maintenance of healthy joints in young horses.
In an Australian study, it was found that a supplement of approximately 0.5 mg copper per kg body weight per day reduced the risk of early joint changes (OCD) in foals and mares.

👉 This corresponds to about 180 mg of copper daily for a warm-blooded animal weighing 500–550 kg.

For comparison, a daily ration of 350 g Every Day Happy provides approximately 175 mg of copper – in the same order of magnitude as what was used in the study.

Reference: Pearce et al., Equine Veterinary Journal (1998).

Regulator Complete – the principles are the same

With Regulator Complete we always build on the same basic idea:

• Quality roughage as a base
• Supplemented with protein, minerals and omega-3

This gives the young horse the best conditions for healthy joints, a strong body and a good starting point when training begins.

👉 Do you have a growing young horse - and are you unsure about how to put together the feed?
Then we will be happy to help you.
You can book a personal telephone consultation here:
Personal feed sparring – telephone consultation