Log in to my account Barrel Horse World
Come on in Folks on-line

Today is

You are logged in as a guest. Logon or register an account to access more features.


For Those Feeding Free Choice Hay.....

Jump to page :
Last activity 2020-12-17 8:35 AM
6 replies, 2894 views

View previous thread :: View next thread
   General Discussion -> Barrel Talk
Refresh
 
fulltiltfilly
Reg. Dec 2008
Posted 2020-12-16 9:03 AM
Subject: For Those Feeding Free Choice Hay.....



I hate cooking and cleaning


Posts: 3310
20001000100100100
Location: Jersey Girl

How do you keep your horses from getting too plump?? I try to make it so my sensitive stomached/ulcer prone horse does not go long (or at all) without something to nibble on. Mine def look like a wide load

Also, I board but take care of my own horses and only go out once a day. My barrel horse gets a handful of TC senior and alfalfa pellets so there is something to mix her supplement with. Most of the time they are fed using a slow feed hay net so it will last. 

Suggestions? 

 

 

↑ Top ↓ Bottom
Lookin For Diamonds
Reg. Jul 2009
Posted 2020-12-16 9:51 AM
Subject: RE: For Those Feeding Free Choice Hay.....


Elite Veteran


Posts: 784
500100100252525
Location: USA

I feed Alfalfa am/pm and keep their inside feeder full of orchard grass... the grass hay has less calories and gives them something to pick on. I weigh my alfalfa to keep the calories in check. I feed 2nd cutting... 

↑ Top ↓ Bottom
SoCalBarrelracer
Reg. Sep 2014
Posted 2020-12-16 11:34 AM
Subject: RE: For Those Feeding Free Choice Hay.....


Regular


Posts: 73
2525

Both my horses eat a grass hay. I pack a hay net full once a day and it generally last 24 hours till I return to ride and repack then and so on. They learn to pace themselves once they figure out that they will have it there all day. I pack mine with like 4-5 flakes mind u there smaller flakes most the times but that accommodates dinner breakfast lunch and then I return. 

↑ Top ↓ Bottom
donk
Reg. Sep 2009
Posted 2020-12-16 3:00 PM
Subject: RE: For Those Feeding Free Choice Hay.....


Veteran


Posts: 242
10010025

I'm with you! Mine can't have free choice- too fat! Wish they could but they can't.

↑ Top ↓ Bottom
Lady
Reg. Jun 2009
Posted 2020-12-16 6:33 PM
Subject: RE: For Those Feeding Free Choice Hay.....



Shoot Yeah


Posts: 4273
200020001001002525
Location: Where you need a paddle... Oregon!

I keep grass hay out 24/7 - in a large feeder in their respective pastures during good weather, and in the feeder in their stalls during bad weather.  They are in separate pastures with their own large stall that they can go in and out of all day.  I feed 2 and 3 flakes alfalfa once a day.  My older mare has always been a harder keeper and when I started doing this she really bloomed and looks great.  She will not overeat.  My yearling is soggier, but I do the same things with her and she is figuring it out.  I agree with whoever said that they seem to learn to pace themselves better when they know there will always be food avaliable.

↑ Top ↓ Bottom
GLP
Reg. Oct 2013
Posted 2020-12-16 9:09 PM
Subject: RE: For Those Feeding Free Choice Hay.....


I just read the headlines


Posts: 4483
20002000100100100100252525

I would rather have a happy, healthy horse with a hay belly than a leaner horse with digestion problems any day. Horses are made to graze 17-20 hours a day. Horses were not made to eat high quality grass all day, but a variety of grasses of lower quality than the pasture grasses developed for fattening of cattle. So feeding good quality hay mixed with a little lower quality is recommended. It's very important for mental and physical health that they be able to do graze throughout the day/night. And yes, it takes time, but they will learn to not overeat. Once they trust they will have food in front of them for whenever they need it, they will slow down and slim down. 

↑ Top ↓ Bottom
txcajuncowgirl
Reg. Apr 2004
Posted 2020-12-17 8:35 AM
Subject: RE: For Those Feeding Free Choice Hay.....


Extreme Veteran


Posts: 538
50025
Location: Central Texas

Using a slow feed hay net can help as well or a grazing muzzle.

↑ Top ↓ Bottom
Jump to page :
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread
 

© Copyright 2002- BarrelHorseWorld.com All rights reserved including digital rights

Support - Contact / Log in to my account


Working Truck World Working Horse World Cargo Trailer World Horse Trailer World Roping Horse World
'
Registered to: Barrel Horse World
(Delete all cookies set by this site)
Running MegaBBS ASP Forum Software
© 2002-2025 PD9 Software