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RE: [RC] Pawing - long - heidi

I missed this rushing through my mail, apparently, but I'm glad you two have brought this up.  I have to agree.  While confined horses do need to be fed on "somewhat" regular schedule, a bit of variety does keep them from expecting everything like clockwork, and is good for their minds. 
 
I have brought several horses on my place over the last 30 years from one particular breeder in southern CA whose place runs almost to the minute from day to day.  His horses are the worst basket cases for the first year or so, because they don't adapt well to ANY new routine.  I get horses from more "normal" places where things are less regimented, and they settle right in in a day or two, as if to say, "Hey, I've got food, I've got water, life is cool." 
 
Needless to say, the latter attitude is a "must" for endurance horses!
 
Heidi


Diane wrote:

>>  Many trainers tell us horses like the reassurance of a regular
schedule.  That has not been my experience.  It is the trainer or the
stable owner that likes a regular schedule because it is easier and
convenient.  The horses could care less.  Horses in pasture do not put
their heads down to graze at exactly the same time, or even remotely the
same time, every day.  They eat when the spirit moves them.  And we all
know that horses in pasture tend to be much less stressed or squirrelly
than horses kept in stalls, you know, the ones who are fed on a regular
schedule :)

[Reply] I'm so glad someone brought this up, because my opinion is like
Diane's.  I had a friend (Angie, her paranoia makes you look positively laid
back!) who was obsessed about "routine".  Result : her TB would colic if
supper was more than fifteen minutes late.  Mine must just deal.  If I'm at
a show, supper can't be on time, and sometimes breakfast is out, too.  I
also sometimes take them off of lunch, or give some lunch and not others.  T

Tracey

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