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Thread Four: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1332664/posts |
Posted on 12/30/2004 7:01:16 PM PST by HairOfTheDog
Free Republic has a lot of horse people that have found each other on other threads…. And since we all like to talk horses, how about a thread where it is not off-topic, but is THE topic?
This is a horse chat thread where we share ideas, ask for input from other horsemen, and talk about our riding and horse-keeping. We have a lot of different kinds of riders and horses, and a lot to share. In the previous threads we have had a great time talking through lessons, training, horse lamenesses, illnesses and pregnancies... and always sharing pictures and stories.
I always have a link to this thread on my profile page, so if you have something to say and can't find the thread in latest posts… look for it there and wake the thread up!
I also have a ping list for horse threads that are of interest, and Becky pings everyone most mornings. Let Becky (Paynoattentionmanbehindthecurtain) and/or me know if you would like to be on the ping list. As FreeRepublic is a political site, our politics and other issues will probably blend in…. There are many issues for horsemen that touch politics… land use, animal rights/abuse cases that make the news…. Legislation that might affect horse owners.
So... like the previous threads, this is intended as fun place to come and share stories, pictures, questions and chit-chat, unguided and unmoderated and that we come together here as friends. There are lots of ways of doing things and we all have our quirks, tricks and specialties that are neat to learn about.
Wow, it's hard to imaging alfalfa hay being cheaper than grass hay. Alfalfa is $8 or $10 a bale here while really good grass hay is $3 or less. I can get rolls for $20. I know that grass is just filler, but that's mostly what you need it for anyway so that's why I said what I did about putting a roll out for them to munch on. But I guess that would get a little expensive out where you live. It was just a thought.
Speaking of alfalfa, I thought I read somewhere that you had to be careful feeding it or the high protein was bad for their kidneys or something. Anybody else heard this before?
Hey BigMack
My BIL & SIL rented one when they went to Hawaii and had a blast. They took this really curvy, windy road that went up to the top of some volcano. Sounded like fun.
I've always thought if I used hay, I would feed Strategy, it's a good feed. But then, I'm rather prejudiced to Purina feeds:) I've been told that even if you see whole grains in horse poop, they have still absorbed all the nutrition out of it, but I still don't like seeing it.
Becky
You have to monitor the use of it, because horses can get fat on it if you feed too much.
Oh, and I guess I've lived around here too long:) The mindset here is alfalfa is to rich for horses.
Becky
We don't have any problems with the alfalfa other than we have to watch easy keepers because they tend to gain weight - some people put their easy ones on alfalfa and grass mix, or grass so that they will just have something to eat.
That's the thinking in these parts too.But we do have one set of equine vet specialists that recommend feeding nothing but afalfa. I'm beginning to think if you do feed it, then that's ALL you have to feed. I guess it would balance out.
Becky
I think Strategy is a good, all-around feed. I would think if there was undigested food going through them, they wouldn't be getting much nutrition from it but I don't know.
Well it looks to me the horses I've seen who are fed whole grains ALWAYS have some grain in their poop. I like pellets. Rather they're chewed up or not, they still break down.
The proof is in the pudding tho. Your horses all look great, so alfalfa must be fine, and IMO, my horses lood pretty good:), so complete pellets must be fine. More then one way to skin a cat, or feed a horse:)
Becky
Yes, your horses look great so obviously your feeding program works. And, Bob's gelding, Prez, can not be fed hay of any sort. His food is Strategy, alfalfa pellets, Equine Senior and Beet Pulp. It is mixed with water so that it's soupy. And, that works fine, he has all the energy in the world to carry Bob, is well muscled and fitted enough to win at halter, and we don't have any health problems with him.
My daughters first horse was alot older then we originally thought when we bought him. He was "12" when we bought him, we had him 6 years, and he was, according to the attending vet about 30 when he died.
But that horse could eat nothing but the complete pellets. We owned him in the time frame that I tried to go back to hay and grain for awhile. Anytime I gave him anything but those pellets he coliced bad. If I just missed a feeding or was late with a feeding he coliced. When he died the vets all said he looked in great condition for a horse as old has he was. When I told them what I fed they said that was the reason, the pellets were easily digested. Probably kept him going longer then he would have.
Becky
That makes a lot of sense.
I'm having a hard time believing that, too. Her tail bone is more pronounced now, and her bag seems to be filled out more. I'm positive that she's in a BAAAAAD mood. She kept kicking at Misty everytime she approached the fence between them. RoS says that it's just because she missed her, but there could be more to it than that.
Are you able to touch her?
Becky
Sorry it took so long to answer. RoS had me looking at real estate in the mountains. Happens every time we go off on vacation.
I can touch her, but only to a point. She's pretty patient with me, but I haven't pushed the issue to far. I suspect that if I did anything she didn't like, I would know pretty quick.
We had an Alberton's but it closed down about a year after opening. I couldn't shop there. I kept getting shocked. The static electricity was the worst I had ever seen. After multiple concerns expressed to the manager he told me that they were having multiple complaints and had had the store checked several times and nothing found. I don't know if that had anything to do with it but it was the reason why I quit shopping there.
Glad yall had good trips:')
Evening all!
If I saw a horse was passing whole grains, I'd have their teeth checked. They do have to be able to chew well to benefit from hay or grain, and the biggest advantage gained in the senior pellets is not necessarily the nutritional difference, it's that it is all pre-chewed ;~D
Does she seem to be just very uncomfortable or does it seem she is in pain or ill? Most mares will not have a personality change before foaling other than they get real sick of being pregnant. After foaling is a different matter and she may become very protective.
Wasnt anywhere near long enough though!~ I thought you were heading out too?
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