??'s regarding roundbales and horses

Also as a sidenote , the pintabian definitly is 1/2 QH based on looks and dispositon. BOY is she an easier keeper then the other 2. I really like arabs I know I am the minority but I do think they are harder keepers then the qh's. Also while the old girl is a dream under saddle she IS the type to pace and get upset about changes, feeding right into NOT being an easy keeper.
 
I use the round bails but i also feed 3# pellets (12%)3# sweet grain
My oldest is 14
They do real good with that
You could add sweet grain to build weight at lower cost
just so you maintain enough roughage with pellet and hay
 
Hay or grazing should make up the highest percentage of their feed period. Right now I have four horses and four ponies in my largest pasture on a round bale. They usually need a new one every two weeks. We also feed a pelleted hay feed mix with stradgey twice a day. Just enough to add in extra vitamins and such they need. All of them are doing very well. All of that herd is very young...oldesnt being 6 years old. Now my older crew has a round bale. They are two older cutters 23 and 25. Their bale usually lasts a month to 6 weeks. And we feed them one flake of Alfalfa to share a day....mind you they are still working....and senior feed twice a day. They are fat, healthy and full of themselves on that.

Now at the other ranch I work at we are putting out at least one square bale a day for the Arab and Peruvian to share. Plus the barn help feeds once a day. The pastures are lush there even in the winter because of the amount of fertizler the owner puts on the place. And they are rotated into different pastures all year long so it isn't grazed down. Now, they have a Warmblood over there also. He is taking on a square bale of hay a day, plus a flake of Alfalfa and grain once a day. I will be upping the amount of hay for him as soon as we get some hauled. I would like to see him put on a round bale to help him maintain a better weight.

Also it might be time to have their teeth done. I know I need one of mine done here soon.
 
Last edited:
Quote:
Yes, it is ranging anywhere from $65 to $125 down here. About broke the bank feeding cattle and horses this year because of our lack of rain.
 
Chickenzoo I am suprised at that.I would have thought hay would be cheaper there. I have seen them advertise round bales here for as little as 20.00 4' by 4' but I don't know what the quality is. I am buying this round bale stuff from Southern states so you KNOW they didn't get it for 40.00 themselves. Will have to see if I can find anouther source for quality round bales.Still wonder though if they will waste more with time.
 
It sounds like the rounds would be your best bet. Not only does she seem to like the hay better, but maybe she will spend more time eating and less time burning the calories pacing and such. Have you tried her on oats? Has she had her teeth checked? Has she been TAPEWORM checked? Tapes don't always show up in fecals. I'm always suprised when folks don't worm for tapes. I have seen drastic changes after the tapes are gone.
My Arab mare was purebred and built like a sherman tank. Very easy keeper...I was lucky.
 
Quote:
tongue2.gif
thats what you get for living in the nice warm climate!

We pay around $40 for 900-1000 pound round bale.
 
I have a 18 year old Arab/Qtr. cross gelding that has been dianosed with COPD. In the summer when it is so hot, I try to keep him out of the heat, in the stall with fans blowing on him to help keep him cool. But, he really doesn't eat when it is hot due to the COPD. I have found that along with some hay (either round bales or square) along with a suppliment that is sold at Tractor Supply call "Weight Builder" he remains nice and fat and sleek. It is about 30-40% fat content. You feed a scoop (supplied) in the morning and one at night with his hay and a little 12% pellets and it has worked wonders for him. The cost is around $21. for an 8# bucket. (8# lasts for about 4 weeks at 2 scoops per day)
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom