Winter feeding

["robert and carla lawson" <robandcarla@hotmail.com>]

I am starting to get the ever so popular stares from fellow nieghbors that I 
am abusing my horses. So here is the deal...
I am feeding my mares 1 flake each of alfalfa in the AM. that is pretty much 
it.
I feed 1 1/2 pounds of grain with 1/2 pound of alfalfa pellets with 2 flakes 
of alfalfa Every evening. They do not have free choice hay. They are in 3 
acres of pasture. I do however offer free choice hay when there is an 
abundence of snow on the ground. I also scatter it out in various places to 
keep them "forageing"
I have two horses that are still fat and sassy and energetic. They are not 
being ridden but maybe once every two weeks if lucky. They have access to 
shelter but I have to take them to it. I do not like to put them up in the 
barn or even in the small corral  that is adjacent to it. I did last week 
and Ansata stocked up very badly and not only stocked up but she proceeded 
to attempt to go visiting several neighbors to say howdy! Which resulted in 
two near serious injuries. Haley stayed stocked up. I brought them back to 
pasture and they are doing much better. Also weather was permissable.
Sooo the question is. I still have good pasture available that I am going to 
switch them into in two more weeks. They are fat, healthy and energetic. 
Should I be offering free choice hay?
Haley If I am not careful could possibly founder. And Ansata is fatter than 
the day I bought her. Given the facts here and the History of them... I 
really would like to quiet the silent wispers that I am abusing my horses 
for not offering free choice hay.  But here in this community if you saw all 
the foundered feet you would wonder.
Carla (Going to go feed my "abused" dogs the left over Gravy heated up in 
the microwave.)
Ansata (ohhh apple treat time!)
Haley (me first me first)
Rob (is that a rib? or is that cellulite?)
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