I got a horse, now what? update 1-22-11

[horsejody]

Quote:
I know that you are probably giving more later in the day and forgot to post it, but 5 gallons a day probably isn't enough water. You may want to consider heated buckets or a small stock stank with a heater.

 

[NonnasBabies]

I have a question about the BOSS...

I feed them to my chickens but I had no clue I could feed them to my horses too. Do I just add it to there feed twice a day?? Do I need to start adding it slowly?? Or can you all of a sudden start giving them a cup twice a day??

Thanks
Missi

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I started giving it to my horses, then my chickens, and holland lop bunny, and now my goats.

For my horses I started with 1/4 cup twice daily in the feed for a few days then went up to half a cup for a few days and then 1 cup twice daily. In the winter I would add a little extra.

My two 9 mo old nubians insist on sharing the same grain bowl, so they get 3/4 cup of BOSS mixed in their grain bowl twice a day. I've only had them 3 months, so haven't yet noticed a difference in hooves or coat other than they are getting wooly winter coats. The ground has been continually wet here in the Pacific NW, so hoof trimming is a breeze.

 

[twentynine]

Quote:
I know that you are probably giving more later in the day and forgot to post it, but 5 gallons a day probably isn't enough water. You may want to consider heated buckets or a small stock stank with a heater.

He get 5 gallons of HOT/WARM water at 0400 every morning, this is added to his stock tank that holds about 15 gallons of water. I was tolp by a previous poster to give him warm water to increase his water consumption. Lessoning the danger of getting colic. He has two water troughs available total water capacity 100+ gallons.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

That sounds great. My horses liked warm water as do my chickens and goats.

 

[NonnasBabies]

~*Sweet Cheeks*~ :

For my horses I started with 1/4 cup twice daily in the feed for a few days then went up to half a cup for a few days and then 1 cup twice daily. In the winter I would add a little extra.

Thanks for the great info!!

Missi​

 

[twentynine]

Okay here is a quick pic I snapped yesterday.

Cell phone picture, and I am no photographer.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

OH - What a sweety he is. Love his dark bangs and ears.

 

[Kelly G]

Hey! He's kind of a cutie! He has a kind looking expression on his face - I like that a lot! What color is he?

It's hard to get an accurate assessment of his weight, but from what I see - it looks like he could use a few pounds...he's not horribly thin - just a little ribby.

I agree with consulting your vet on the best feeding program. Each person you talk to will have thier own input based on their experience with their horse. I have 3 horses, and three different feeding programs. Each horse is an individual.

Re: BOSS (Black Oil Sunflower Seed) - it is a GREAT supplement for nearly every horse (I don't give even 1 seed of it to my easy-keeper, though!). I have one 28 year old senior citizen, and a high-energy American Saddlebred - they both benefit immensely from the extra healthy calories in BOSS...and it has the added benefit of putting a nice glossy coat!

Good luck - it sounds like you're heading down a great path!

 

[TriciaHowe]

Thanks for posting a picture. He has a very kind eye