After reading 2 great books on equine nutrition (Equine Supplements & Nutraceuticals by Eleanor M. Kellon VMD, Feeding and Care of the Horse by Lon D. Lewis) as well as university studies on the internet, we have changed our feeding program with excellent results that we would like to share with everyone.
We live in Nevada where many horse owners do not have the ability/luxury of allowing their animals to graze in a field as the Creator intended. Sand colic is the leading killer of our equine friends in our state.
In reading we found that the water content of fresh growing pasture is approx. 80% and is made up of several types of forage. In stark contrast, baled hay must be dried to approx. 17% water content to avoid spoilage and is primarily made up of the planted crop, be it alfalfa or grass or a mix. In addition, hay quality and weight per bale varies greatly which presents problems in rationing. We have found that regardless of the feeder used, our horses "throw" their food in the dirt and eat it.
Many horse owners are feeding supplements including beet pulp, psyllium, and designer foods that are reported to "clean out your horse". While we feed these also, we believe that hydration is the key component that is overlooked when feeding dry foods.
WHAT WE DO; We feed locally cubed alfalfa that is soaked in water for about 20 mins as our base forage. These cubes contain cereal and wheat bran as bonding agents.
We weigh each portion in a 6 gallon bucket (8-13 pounds per feeding) and then fill the remaining space with water and allow to soak. We then place a small amount of grass hay on the top of the bucket and dump it in rubber feeding tubs so that the hay is buried below the wet cube mush. Evening feeding includes grain, old horse formula, rice bran and beat pulp.
At rodeos our horses urinate 2-3 times as often as horses tied up next to us. We have had no tummy aches/cholic in years.
After reading 2 great books on equine nutrition (Equine Supplements & Nutraceuticals by Eleanor M. Kellon VMD, Feeding and Care of the Horse by Lon D. Lewis) as well as university studies on the internet, we have changed our feeding program with excellent results that we would like to share with everyone.
We live in Nevada where many horse owners do not have the ability/luxury of allowing their animals to graze in a field as the Creator intended. Sand colic is the leading killer of our equine friends in our state.
In reading we found that the water content of fresh growing pasture is approx. 80% and is made up of several types of forage. In stark contrast, baled hay must be dried to approx. 17% water content to avoid spoilage and is primarily made up of the planted crop, be it alfalfa or grass or a mix. In addition, hay quality and weight per bale varies greatly which presents problems in rationing. We have found that regardless of the feeder used, our horses "throw" their food in the dirt and eat it.
Many horse owners are feeding supplements including beet pulp, psyllium, and designer foods that are reported to "clean out your horse". While we feed these also, we believe that hydration is the key component that is overlooked when feeding dry foods.
WHAT WE DO; We feed locally cubed alfalfa that is soaked in water for about 20 mins as our base forage. These cubes contain cereal and wheat bran as bonding agents.
We weigh each portion in a 6 gallon bucket (8-13 pounds per feeding) and then fill the remaining space with water and allow to soak. We then place a small amount of grass hay on the top of the bucket and dump it in rubber feeding tubs so that the hay is buried below the wet cube mush. Evening feeding includes grain, old horse formula, rice bran and beat pulp.
At rodeos our horses urinate 2-3 times as often as horses tied up next to us. We have had no tummy aches/cholic in years.
sorry too hear u lost a loyal horse to the flu we have been ok hear at inverell but have also been affected by lack of feed as it is so cold hear in winter but we still wet the feed also the bales of hay with warm water in winter as well it is never easy too loose a friend i also hav lost a few in my time the latest a filly foal too my oldest mare we are looking for a new boyfriend for her but are still worried about the flu as she is 24 any suggestions to protect her will be appreciated keep up the good riding
sorry too hear u lost a loyal horse to the flu we have been ok hear at inverell but have also been affected by lack of feed as it is so cold hear in winter but we still wet the feed also the bales of hay with warm water in winter as well it is never easy too loose a friend i also hav lost a few in my time the latest a filly foal too my oldest mare we are looking for a new boyfriend for her but are still worried about the flu as she is 24 any suggestions to protect her will be appreciated keep up the good riding
We are also very sorry to hear of your loss...we have a28 year old mare that is also in excellent riding health and fear the day we have to say goodbye to her.
We were hoping that more people would want to discuss this blog. Considering the fact that horse owners spend inconceivable amounts of money on supplements and feed.
We feel very strongly that by putting as much water as possible into our animals that we maximize not only their digestive track, but also aid all their organs and muscles to work as effeciently as possible.
Obviously our main concern/interest is not only increasing the quality of life of animals everywhere, but by influencing owner's to merely try this feeding method we may save a horse or two's life.
I can't tell U how many people in our neck of the woods lose animals to colic...especially when the weather turns cold and the horses drink less. Sand colic IS the number one killer of horses in Nevada and there is no shortage of cases in our area.
we welcome comments wether for or against....
We are also very sorry to hear of your loss...we have a28 year old mare that is also in excellent riding health and fear the day we have to say goodbye to her.
We were hoping that more people would want to discuss this blog. Considering the fact that horse owners spend inconceivable amounts of money on supplements and feed.
We feel very strongly that by putting as much water as possible into our animals that we maximize not only their digestive track, but also aid all their organs and muscles to work as effeciently as possible.
Obviously our main concern/interest is not only increasing the quality of life of animals everywhere, but by influencing owner's to merely try this feeding method we may save a horse or two's life.
I can't tell U how many people in our neck of the woods lose animals to colic...especially when the weather turns cold and the horses drink less. Sand colic IS the number one killer of horses in Nevada and there is no shortage of cases in our area.
Im sorry to hear about your loss. We lost a two year old the the neighbors horses this last sept so i know how rough it is to lose one you are close to and i can't imagine how much worse it is when you have had them such a long time.
Im sorry to hear about your loss. We lost a two year old the the neighbors horses this last sept so i know how rough it is to lose one you are close to and i can't imagine how much worse it is when you have had them such a long time.
Hi, I'm from Australia and we are currently in the grip of a drought which has been ongoing for 9 years with short periods of relief but no real droughtbreaking consistent rain. I also wet my horses feed by about half the weight of the dry feed, and right through have had fit, fat, healthy, colic free animals. unfortunately I just lost my old australian stock horse gelding to Equine influenza, which is rife here in N S W at the moment also in queensland. He was 32 years old and in absolutely top condition and with no arthritis or any other ailment and despite our best efforts, his old heart wasn't able to withstand the infectionand he passed away quietly at the house gate.
Hi, I'm from Australia and we are currently in the grip of a drought which has been ongoing for 9 years with short periods of relief but no real droughtbreaking consistent rain. I also wet my horses feed by about half the weight of the dry feed, and right through have had fit, fat, healthy, colic free animals. unfortunately I just lost my old australian stock horse gelding to Equine influenza, which is rife here in N S W at the moment also in queensland. He was 32 years old and in absolutely top condition and with no arthritis or any other ailment and despite our best efforts, his old heart wasn't able to withstand the infectionand he passed away quietly at the house gate.
