Saving on horse feed - Page 2

Mav2007 · 04-14-2009, 11:18 AM

I agree that many people over feed their horses. I think they have been brainwashed by marketing to think that their horse NEEDS all these different types of supplements and grain, regardless of performance or age. Health issues aside, I don't think your average horse needs grain every day.

myboyjake · 04-14-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mav2007

I agree that many people over feed their horses. I think they have been brainwashed by marketing to think that their horse NEEDS all these different types of supplements and grain, regardless of performance or age. Health issues aside, I don't think your average horse needs grain every day.

mav,

After sitting in on a couple of seminars at the Equine affair you would think that your horse needs all these different supplement or he will not survive. After having the vet out last week I started questioning her on all the different supplements and her response was that its like all the different fishing lure companys claiming that there lure with catch the most fish. What these are are people catchers. She said its pretty simple a horses gut is made for hay and grass and as long as there is no medical issues thats all they need.

fishing_trex · 04-15-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gramma Sassy

I am surrounded by fields of sugar beets every year. When it is time to harvest the beets, a machine comonly known as a topper slices the vegetation off the beets and generally works just a few yards ahead of the machine which digs them from the ground. I don't know tht a lot of herbicides are used at all. The beets are weeded and hoed by hand. Possibley because the beets are meant for human consumption. For that reason, I don't think I'd be afraid of beet pupl as feed.

Potatos, which are commonly raised here as well, are sprayed with an herbicide to kill the vines a week or two prior to harvest. Not beets tho....

Newer harvesting methods don't use herbicides to kill off the top; but not all beet growers use the newer methods. I'm surprised you have never seen them putting herbicides/pesticides on the beets for other reasons (aphids, weeds, etc). From what I understand, those chemicals go into the beets, but the processing to remove the sugar removes the chemicals from the sugar, but leaves it in the pulp. (They use a soaking process to extract the sugars, which does not remove the chemicals.)

Take, for example, on herbicide, glyphosate. In 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) increased the maximum allowable residues of glyphosate on sugar beet roots from just 0.2 parts per million (ppm) to 10 ppm. (It is the sugar beet roots that contain the sucrose extracted, refined, and processed into sugar.) The EPA’s policy change represents a 5,000% increase in allowable toxic weed killer residues, some of which could end up in sugar (but most does not due to the processing). The EPA has also increased allowable glyphosate residues on dried sugar beet pulp from 0.2ppm to 25 ppm. This is what the horses eat. This doesn't even take into account the beet pulp that might be coming from overseas.

Maybe those fields next to you go into canned beets or fresh beets and not sugar?

Orchid · 04-15-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishing_trex

Newer harvesting methods don't use herbicides to kill off the top; but not all beet growers use the newer methods. I'm surprised you have never seen them putting herbicides/pesticides on the beets for other reasons (aphids, weeds, etc). From what I understand, those chemicals go into the beets, but the processing to remove the sugar removes the chemicals from the sugar, but leaves it in the pulp. (They use a soaking process to extract the sugars, which does not remove the chemicals.)

Take, for example, on herbicide, glyphosate. In 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) increased the maximum allowable residues of glyphosate on sugar beet roots from just 0.2 parts per million (ppm) to 10 ppm. (It is the sugar beet roots that contain the sucrose extracted, refined, and processed into sugar.) The EPA’s policy change represents a 5,000% increase in allowable toxic weed killer residues, some of which could end up in sugar (but most does not due to the processing). The EPA has also increased allowable glyphosate residues on dried sugar beet pulp from 0.2ppm to 25 ppm. This is what the horses eat. This doesn't even take into account the beet pulp that might be coming from overseas.

Maybe those fields next to you go into canned beets or fresh beets and not sugar?

I don't want to speak out of turn but I am familiar with the area Gramma Sassy lives in and I can be almost 100% sure that they are sugar beets, which are completely different than those used for canning or fresh eating.

North Dakota is a big sugar beet producer.

Gramma Sassy · 04-15-2009, 05:09 PM

Yup, I do know the difference. Sugar beets are generally gigantic, generally tan in color, and taken to a plant about 20 miles from here where they are indeed processed into sugar, molasses, and pulp.

The Beets I can and make pickles from are much smaller and red.

I concur, Trex , that chemicals are possibly used for bugs or weeds. However, I then don't understand why families of Migrant workers make good money hoeing beets in this area each summer. My nephew, who grows a few hundred acres of beets insists he does not.

Not to be overly contentious, but the original post making reference to Chemicals and beets, distinctly postulated that defoliants are used to ready the beets for harvest. I am simply and respectfully saying. Not so, at least not here in the Red River Valley of the North where you will find an American Crystal sugarbeet processing plant every 50 miles or so from one end of the valley to the other.

Sunlei · 05-07-2009, 04:12 PM

My horse is to fat on hay and triple crown safe starch (kind of like hay in a bag with minerals and oil) and graze. I had to stop the triple crown and only use it if the hay sucks, traveling or theres no graze. Lucky she's a easy keep and only works a little.

From what others say, if I needed to add any grains..whole oats seem like the way I would go. sweet feeds and some concentrates scare me with the way a horses digestion system is. I can understand where some real working horses need a concentrated feed.

I edited to add, I have been reading a lot about 'peanut hay' People say it's very cheap, works as a good forage and horses love it. peanut hay could be a big money savings instead of hay.

Slim Pikkens · 05-28-2009, 02:11 PM

The purpose of starting this thread was because of the folks in areas where the cost of feed had gone thro the roof. We had that happen about 20 years ago and by using a bit of an elaborate feeding regimen my feed bill for two horses increased only $5 per mo. Hay had gone from $1.50 to $5 bale. One can actually feed a bit of oat straw for fiber if it's much cheaper but no more than a flake per day.

95Harley · 05-28-2009, 03:43 PM

When I got my 2yo gelding they were feeding him 12lbs of 14%sweet feed a day

What a total knot head.... I now know better my two guys get pastured 24/7 and then supplimented with grass hay when it is dry and not much grass growing--treats when I go see them the hard dog treat looking things (not to hijack this thread but anyone know how to get a horse to eat a carrot???) and then they are in the corn stalks all winter--if there's corn out there they have to dig it out of the frozen ground and eat it like little ice cubes and free choice grass round bales--they are fat and happy and not too hot... I think all the stuff they try to sell you is like trying to sell you all of the vitamins for people--have you ever looked --really looked at the vitamin isle??? OMG there is one for every part of every body.

rm185western · 05-28-2009, 04:06 PM

I sometimes wonder how horses of old used to survive, working hard for their living, every day, not pasture pets, without all the fancy ready made feeds we have today

It's an unfortunate fact that many of our pets and horses, like ourselves are overfed. The advertising industry does a fine job in convincing us that we need to but this that or the other, but mostly we could do without.

The more we discover, the more we invent, the more chemicals we produce makes the situation worse. Nowdays you can find scientific studies that nearly everything that we consume is bad for you, same for our animals, and that just makes the whole thing harder.

I'm with Slims original thought, for a lot of our horses, we are spending money that makes US feel good, and doesn't benefit them that much.

Each to their own, every horse, every circumstance is different, just have an open mind and think about it

dymond · 05-28-2009, 11:20 PM

Money is not my top priority when it comes to diet. That goes for anyone in my family, human or not.

Of COURSE it is a consideration, though.

And often, the most expensive diet is by far not the best, either.

What I like to do for my horse is to feed a GOOD quality food (Seminole calm and cool). However, she gets the minimum amount. Plus lots of good quality grass hay.

Supplements ? The ones I won't go without are the joint supplement and the hoof supplement.

My mare is well muscled, not fat, not skinny, has a shiny coat and looks healthy. Her diet is very reasonably priced at the amount she requires.

What I found to be the BEST thing to do for a beautiful coat ? Good diet and lots LOTS of grooming. Nothing will beat that

Rafflesgirl · 05-29-2009, 01:04 AM

Don't you all get sick and tired of having people tell you how to feed your horses??? For Pete's sake. Everyone is different and every horse if different and everyone has a different opinion. Who cares?? I don't care what others feed their horses as long as they feed them. My first horse lived 34 years with pasture, hay, occasionally pellets or occasionally sweet feed (whichever I chose to feed at that time) She was as healthy and sound as she could be.

My current horses don't have much pasture so they get mostly grass hay and a little bit of yes sweet feed. Sure they would eat pellets, I just choose the sweet feed. Honestly they probably don't need grain at all as they are fairly idle, but you know, I like to give them a bit of grain, it's a nice treat for them and they enjoy it. And yes in general horses are overfed, and most don't need a bunch of fancy food, and all kinds of additives. Yes there are special needs I have fed senior food to my senior horses etc. Each person has to decide what works for their horses.

Why waste time debating? What is important is that they are well cared for in all aspects. Don't beat me it's just my opinion.

beckyp · 05-30-2009, 02:23 PM

Our horses are fed grain and hay in winter,my TB gelding is a hard keeper in colder months so we make sure that they have more. In summer months they get pasture and hay,but we have decided to keep feeding my TB grain at least once a day. I know when I was a child our horses had hay and occasionally corn during winter months and none of them suffered weight loss. We get grain from local mill,I like it better than stuff we sell at Rural King,but the girl's instructor buys senior feed,oats and shredded beet pulp for her horses. I think it depends on what your horse/s need and the amount of work they are engaged in at different times.

Slim Pikkens · 06-02-2009, 09:24 AM

My horses came thro a long cold winter on mainly timothy hay and they all have dapples and they get in frisky moods and tear around.

muttduck · 06-02-2009, 01:48 PM

Ours (speaking horses, not the donkeys) are on 24/7 pasture year round. If grass isn't out there (too dry, too frozen, etc), they get grass hay. Cheap grass hay, usually full of fescue, weeds, clover, and maybe some tidbits of good stuff like timothy, orchard, or alfalfa.

In winter, we feed 4-6 pounds of cheap sweet feed (meaning, TSCs cheapest white bag that is more like pellets with molasses), 1x day per big horse - fed at the warmest time int he afternoon. (More for Berry, since she doesn't like the winters here, and gets a little ribbier than I'd prefer).

I blanket them on days where the low is lower than 35 - or days where snow, freezing rain, or rain and below 50 is expected. Simple, cheap, medium weight blankets.

If hay is harder to find, and I have to ration what I have, then I add soaked timothy cubes, or beet pulp, to the feeding.

Now that it's summer, and grass is flourishing, we're feeding maybe 2 pounds of the same feed per horse, 1x day in the afternoons - and only to keep my girls coming when they are called, since I have 13 acres of hills valleys, and trees - where a horse can hide all day and never be seen from the house.

My only exception to the rule right now, is the rescue mare due to foal. She's in a dry lot, with fescue free hay thrown at her anytime she's out of hay, and 5 pounds of the same cheap feed 1x day. She's currently pushing a BCS of 6 (not counting her pregnancy related shape).

In the summer, I have the fattest, shiniest, and healthiest horses in the neighborhood. In the winter, they are no less than a higher 4 on the BCS with shiny fuzzies, and only look "dull" right before they shed in the spring.

roberts617 · 06-02-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafflesgirl

Don't you all get sick and tired of having people tell you how to feed your horses??? For Pete's sake. Everyone is different and every horse if different and everyone has a different opinion. Who cares?? I don't care what others feed their horses as long as they feed them. My first horse lived 34 years with pasture, hay, occasionally pellets or occasionally sweet feed (whichever I chose to feed at that time) She was as healthy and sound as she could be.

My current horses don't have much pasture so they get mostly grass hay and a little bit of yes sweet feed. Sure they would eat pellets, I just choose the sweet feed. Honestly they probably don't need grain at all as they are fairly idle, but you know, I like to give them a bit of grain, it's a nice treat for them and they enjoy it. And yes in general horses are overfed, and most don't need a bunch of fancy food, and all kinds of additives. Yes there are special needs I have fed senior food to my senior horses etc. Each person has to decide what works for their horses.

Why waste time debating? What is important is that they are well cared for in all aspects. Don't beat me it's just my opinion.

I agree.

I don't care what anyone else feeds their horses, as long as they are fed!

And, I do get tired of everyone trying to cram their way is the only way down your throat too!

Or, being worried about telling anyone what you feed because they are going to pick you apart. My old pony is doing very well at his age, and I've not always known the best way of doing things for the past 22 years I've owned him. But he's very healthy and obviously happy...so I can't be doing too much wrong.

Thanks for this thread, Slim.

Druydess · 07-18-2009, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myboyjake

mav,

After sitting in on a couple of seminars at the Equine affair you would think that your horse needs all these different supplement or he will not survive. After having the vet out last week I started questioning her on all the different supplements and her response was that its like all the different fishing lure companys claiming that there lure with catch the most fish. What these are are people catchers. She said its pretty simple a horses gut is made for hay and grass and as long as there is no medical issues thats all they need.

My vet told me the same thing. If there's enough good grass, they don't need anything else. Unfortunately, here in FL. it's feast or famine, so in the winter or drought, I need to feed grain...

Barngoddess · 07-18-2009, 11:54 PM

If you have a large enough pasture for your horses year round, and you can rotate, re-seed and fertilize to make sure you have good quality health feed, then unless your horses are worked pretty hard, grazing is fine. The problem is that most pastures are "what you see is what you get". They are not fertilized and re-seeded and years of over-grazing has left the forage nutrient deficient. Every horse is an individual and every situation is individual. All that is important is that you know your horses are getting the correct amount of nutrients they need, they are healthy and they are happy.

I have to say living in Florida has made me miss the $2.00 per bale hay prices back in NY. And that was considered expensive!

Slim Pikkens · 07-26-2009, 08:54 PM

It appears many parts of north america are again experiencing unusual weather patterns and will need to adjust how they feed in order to keep their horses. The lousy economy doesn't help either. In my area a 5' round bale sells for $40. In parts of Alberta it's $90. Parts of Alberta are experiencing extreme drought and will probably have no hay. Many farmers are feeding emergency reserves but worry about when that runs out.

Druydess · 07-26-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slim Pikkens

It appears many parts of north america are again experiencing unusual weather patterns and will need to adjust how they feed in order to keep their horses. The lousy economy doesn't help either. In my area a 5' round bale sells for $40. In parts of Alberta it's $90. Parts of Alberta are experiencing extreme drought and will probably have no hay. Many farmers are feeding emergency reserves but worry about when that runs out.

In FL, round bales are 55 - 65 dollars...

jdougert · 07-27-2009, 07:47 AM

Slim Pikkens, one thing you will never get people to agree on is - what is best feed program for their horse(s).

Like one of the OP already stated, even the 'experts' don't agree on what is really best. I think each horse owner has to do their own research and then base their feed program on each individual horse's needs and go from there.

After reading all the posts, it's clear that oats alone are not really sufficient for most horses based on everyone who feeds oats seems to be adding this or that. By the time you buy oats, then a bag of this and a bag or that to add to the oats...why not just buy a commercial horse feed that already has some research behind it? Otherwise, it's just a guessing game, extra time & work to buy and mix all this stuff. It kind of defeats the purpose.

Also, btw, I too, prefer to limit oats in any horse's diet due to the starch / sugar content.

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04-14-2009, 11:18 AM
Mav2007 Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,672	I agree that many people over feed their horses. I think they have been brainwashed by marketing to think that their horse NEEDS all these different types of supplements and grain, regardless of performance or age. Health issues aside, I don't think your average horse needs grain every day.

04-15-2009, 05:09 PM
Gramma Sassy Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Dakota Posts: 1,296	Yup, I do know the difference. Sugar beets are generally gigantic, generally tan in color, and taken to a plant about 20 miles from here where they are indeed processed into sugar, molasses, and pulp. The Beets I can and make pickles from are much smaller and red. I concur, Trex , that chemicals are possibly used for bugs or weeds. However, I then don't understand why families of Migrant workers make good money hoeing beets in this area each summer. My nephew, who grows a few hundred acres of beets insists he does not. Not to be overly contentious, but the original post making reference to Chemicals and beets, distinctly postulated that defoliants are used to ready the beets for harvest. I am simply and respectfully saying. Not so, at least not here in the Red River Valley of the North where you will find an American Crystal sugarbeet processing plant every 50 miles or so from one end of the valley to the other. __________________ ~God is good, but tiz best not to dance in a small boat~ VOTE FOR "DUSTY TRAILS HORSE RESCUE" DAILY IN THE PETFINDER SHELTER CHALLENGE! http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/c...faces?siteId=3 Last edited by Gramma Sassy : 04-15-2009 at 05:11 PM.

05-07-2009, 04:12 PM
Sunlei Long Yearling Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,322	My horse is to fat on hay and triple crown safe starch (kind of like hay in a bag with minerals and oil) and graze. I had to stop the triple crown and only use it if the hay sucks, traveling or theres no graze. Lucky she's a easy keep and only works a little. From what others say, if I needed to add any grains..whole oats seem like the way I would go. sweet feeds and some concentrates scare me with the way a horses digestion system is. I can understand where some real working horses need a concentrated feed. I edited to add, I have been reading a lot about 'peanut hay' People say it's very cheap, works as a good forage and horses love it. peanut hay could be a big money savings instead of hay. Last edited by Sunlei : 05-07-2009 at 04:17 PM.

05-28-2009, 02:11 PM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,047	The purpose of starting this thread was because of the folks in areas where the cost of feed had gone thro the roof. We had that happen about 20 years ago and by using a bit of an elaborate feeding regimen my feed bill for two horses increased only $5 per mo. Hay had gone from $1.50 to $5 bale. One can actually feed a bit of oat straw for fiber if it's much cheaper but no more than a flake per day.

05-28-2009, 03:43 PM
95Harley Started Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Corner of IA, SD, NE Posts: 2,095	When I got my 2yo gelding they were feeding him 12lbs of 14%sweet feed a day What a total knot head.... I now know better my two guys get pastured 24/7 and then supplimented with grass hay when it is dry and not much grass growing--treats when I go see them the hard dog treat looking things (not to hijack this thread but anyone know how to get a horse to eat a carrot???) and then they are in the corn stalks all winter--if there's corn out there they have to dig it out of the frozen ground and eat it like little ice cubes and free choice grass round bales--they are fat and happy and not too hot... I think all the stuff they try to sell you is like trying to sell you all of the vitamins for people--have you ever looked --really looked at the vitamin isle??? OMG there is one for every part of every body. __________________ Horses are scared of 2 things- 1. Things that move 2. Things that don't.

05-28-2009, 04:06 PM
rm185western Kid Safe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Saskatchewan,Canada Posts: 5,470	I sometimes wonder how horses of old used to survive, working hard for their living, every day, not pasture pets, without all the fancy ready made feeds we have today It's an unfortunate fact that many of our pets and horses, like ourselves are overfed. The advertising industry does a fine job in convincing us that we need to but this that or the other, but mostly we could do without. The more we discover, the more we invent, the more chemicals we produce makes the situation worse. Nowdays you can find scientific studies that nearly everything that we consume is bad for you, same for our animals, and that just makes the whole thing harder. I'm with Slims original thought, for a lot of our horses, we are spending money that makes US feel good, and doesn't benefit them that much. Each to their own, every horse, every circumstance is different, just have an open mind and think about it __________________ ________________________________ Food is fuel, it doesn't fix broken hearts, or make bad days better. Choose your fuel wisely

05-28-2009, 11:20 PM
dymond Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 308	Money is not my top priority when it comes to diet. That goes for anyone in my family, human or not. Of COURSE it is a consideration, though. And often, the most expensive diet is by far not the best, either. What I like to do for my horse is to feed a GOOD quality food (Seminole calm and cool). However, she gets the minimum amount. Plus lots of good quality grass hay. Supplements ? The ones I won't go without are the joint supplement and the hoof supplement. My mare is well muscled, not fat, not skinny, has a shiny coat and looks healthy. Her diet is very reasonably priced at the amount she requires. What I found to be the BEST thing to do for a beautiful coat ? Good diet and lots LOTS of grooming. Nothing will beat that __________________ Lu "you are forever responsible for what you have tamed..."

05-29-2009, 01:04 AM
Rafflesgirl Weanling Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 491	Don't you all get sick and tired of having people tell you how to feed your horses??? For Pete's sake. Everyone is different and every horse if different and everyone has a different opinion. Who cares?? I don't care what others feed their horses as long as they feed them. My first horse lived 34 years with pasture, hay, occasionally pellets or occasionally sweet feed (whichever I chose to feed at that time) She was as healthy and sound as she could be. My current horses don't have much pasture so they get mostly grass hay and a little bit of yes sweet feed. Sure they would eat pellets, I just choose the sweet feed. Honestly they probably don't need grain at all as they are fairly idle, but you know, I like to give them a bit of grain, it's a nice treat for them and they enjoy it. And yes in general horses are overfed, and most don't need a bunch of fancy food, and all kinds of additives. Yes there are special needs I have fed senior food to my senior horses etc. Each person has to decide what works for their horses. Why waste time debating? What is important is that they are well cared for in all aspects. Don't beat me it's just my opinion. __________________ Kelli ~He is the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers~

05-30-2009, 02:23 PM
beckyp Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: utica,ky Posts: 4,471	Our horses are fed grain and hay in winter,my TB gelding is a hard keeper in colder months so we make sure that they have more. In summer months they get pasture and hay,but we have decided to keep feeding my TB grain at least once a day. I know when I was a child our horses had hay and occasionally corn during winter months and none of them suffered weight loss. We get grain from local mill,I like it better than stuff we sell at Rural King,but the girl's instructor buys senior feed,oats and shredded beet pulp for her horses. I think it depends on what your horse/s need and the amount of work they are engaged in at different times. __________________ If not at home try the barn.

06-02-2009, 09:24 AM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,047	My horses came thro a long cold winter on mainly timothy hay and they all have dapples and they get in frisky moods and tear around.

06-02-2009, 01:48 PM
muttduck Kid Safe Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 6,957	Ours (speaking horses, not the donkeys) are on 24/7 pasture year round. If grass isn't out there (too dry, too frozen, etc), they get grass hay. Cheap grass hay, usually full of fescue, weeds, clover, and maybe some tidbits of good stuff like timothy, orchard, or alfalfa. In winter, we feed 4-6 pounds of cheap sweet feed (meaning, TSCs cheapest white bag that is more like pellets with molasses), 1x day per big horse - fed at the warmest time int he afternoon. (More for Berry, since she doesn't like the winters here, and gets a little ribbier than I'd prefer). I blanket them on days where the low is lower than 35 - or days where snow, freezing rain, or rain and below 50 is expected. Simple, cheap, medium weight blankets. If hay is harder to find, and I have to ration what I have, then I add soaked timothy cubes, or beet pulp, to the feeding. Now that it's summer, and grass is flourishing, we're feeding maybe 2 pounds of the same feed per horse, 1x day in the afternoons - and only to keep my girls coming when they are called, since I have 13 acres of hills valleys, and trees - where a horse can hide all day and never be seen from the house. My only exception to the rule right now, is the rescue mare due to foal. She's in a dry lot, with fescue free hay thrown at her anytime she's out of hay, and 5 pounds of the same cheap feed 1x day. She's currently pushing a BCS of 6 (not counting her pregnancy related shape). In the summer, I have the fattest, shiniest, and healthiest horses in the neighborhood. In the winter, they are no less than a higher 4 on the BCS with shiny fuzzies, and only look "dull" right before they shed in the spring. __________________ Custom stall signs and pet portraits, Wood Burned by hand with your equine's (or pet's) image: www.WoodburnedPetPortraits.com Self Defense Supplies, Stun Guns, Pepper Sprays: https://selfprotectionsupplies.com/

07-18-2009, 11:54 PM
Barngoddess Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 350	If you have a large enough pasture for your horses year round, and you can rotate, re-seed and fertilize to make sure you have good quality health feed, then unless your horses are worked pretty hard, grazing is fine. The problem is that most pastures are "what you see is what you get". They are not fertilized and re-seeded and years of over-grazing has left the forage nutrient deficient. Every horse is an individual and every situation is individual. All that is important is that you know your horses are getting the correct amount of nutrients they need, they are healthy and they are happy. I have to say living in Florida has made me miss the $2.00 per bale hay prices back in NY. And that was considered expensive!

07-26-2009, 08:54 PM
Slim Pikkens Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,047	It appears many parts of north america are again experiencing unusual weather patterns and will need to adjust how they feed in order to keep their horses. The lousy economy doesn't help either. In my area a 5' round bale sells for $40. In parts of Alberta it's $90. Parts of Alberta are experiencing extreme drought and will probably have no hay. Many farmers are feeding emergency reserves but worry about when that runs out.

07-27-2009, 07:47 AM
jdougert Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: central FL Posts: 327	Slim Pikkens, one thing you will never get people to agree on is - what is best feed program for their horse(s). Like one of the OP already stated, even the 'experts' don't agree on what is really best. I think each horse owner has to do their own research and then base their feed program on each individual horse's needs and go from there. After reading all the posts, it's clear that oats alone are not really sufficient for most horses based on everyone who feeds oats seems to be adding this or that. By the time you buy oats, then a bag of this and a bag or that to add to the oats...why not just buy a commercial horse feed that already has some research behind it? Otherwise, it's just a guessing game, extra time & work to buy and mix all this stuff. It kind of defeats the purpose. Also, btw, I too, prefer to limit oats in any horse's diet due to the starch / sugar content.