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Interesting that you bring up this subject. I just came back from feeding,
well I fed some of the herd anyway, the others stood on the top of the hill
and looked at us then went back to grazing..
First let me say that there is no certain way to feed that is perfect for
every horse. I will interject a few homilies here to add to the "take the
time it takes", "what works, works", "each horse is an individual", and
another "it all depends".
This last one, "it all depends" really applies to feeding! It all depends --
-- on how the horse(s) is kept (stall, corral, pasture, free roaming), on
the breed of horse, on what type of work (show, sport, endurance, cow), on
the climate, on what you feed, the season.
Our feeding program example is a fairly good one; Our horses are kept in a
140 acre pasture consisting of sage brush hills.We feed grain with feed
(nose) bags, each horse gets the ration it, as an individual requires. We do
this twice a day. After the evening graining we distribute a bale of hay in
a different spot each time , separating it into at least two more piles than
there are horses. (the hay supplements the natural grazing which is very
poor from July through November and then again when there is snow on the
ground)
Timing of feeding: Well we do it twice a day BUT!!! OK we go down in the
morning about 9 to 10 am.and call the horses.IF THEY SO DESIRE they may be
waiting or come to our call. We will work around the barn trimming brush
cleaning up, watering etc for an hour or so, if they come they get fed if
they so decline they don't get fed. IT IS THEIR DECISION. I am not going to
search them out or carry feed for 8 horses a half mile up the hill to them.
In the evening it is almost certain they will come when called. Now the time
will vary as the season. It appears to be light dependent, just prior to
dusk. Earlier in the winter later in the summer. They do not wear watches
but depend on the sun. Another seasonal factor. When the cheat grass is in
head they will then decline any grain or hay, preferring the natural browse.
THEY KNOW WE ARE CALLING THEM TO GRAIN BUT THEY LOOK UP SEE WHERE WE ARE AND
GO BACK TO GRAZING!!
On the other side of the coin; we have had a mare and 3 month old foal
penned up because of a hematoma on the mares stifle. After about a week of
boredom she became quite agitated if not fed at a certain time. by the time
a month of confinement had passed she would paw holes to show her impatience
when not fed on time. Now she is back in the hills she has reverted back to
the old way. It is her decision whether she comes running or not.
One thing to realize. These horses KNOW that the feed will be offered. The
decision to partake is theirs. This methodology and the conditions of
"keeping" allow us to miss feedings with out problems. We do not often do
this as the feeding time is part of our training program, it affords an
opportunity for a "hands on" examination of each horse every day and it
keeps them from being "completely" feral.
Guess that is more than you bargained for but, IT ALL DEPENDS
Bob Morris
Morris Endurance Enterprises
Boise, ID
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