Hay cubes

[Ruth Bourgeois <ruthb@tdsi.net>]

Thanks for all the good advice and recommendations on using hay cubes. 
The brand that I am trying my horses on is the First Thunder also. I got
a couple bags yesterday, plus a bag of their complete horse feed
pellets. My horses really like the complete feed.

I'm going to give this a try for the next few weeks and see how it works
out, while I look for some good quality grass hay. I thought that the
cubes equaled more per pound than hay, but if it's straight pound for
pound the same, then this is going to probably cost me more than it's
worth. I can buy a bale of grass hay for around $3.50. The hay cubes
cost me nearly $10 for 50 pounds. Hopefully I will find some good grass
hay, and wean the horses off the alfalfa mix that I've been feeding all
winter, as summer approaches.

I took my two fat furry horses out today for their first actual
conditioning ride... it sure is easy to see how that extra weight makes
it harder for them. My friend rode my horse that isn't overweight hardly
at all, and he was still full of energy after our ride, while my mare
was moving quite a bit slower. We've got a lot of serious work to do
before they resemble anything that looks like distance riding horses!
I'm sure my horses are saying the same thing about me right now, too
("gotta get that woman in shape - boy, she's sure wintered well!").

It was snowing/raining a bit when we rode, and very chilly, but it sure
was good to get out and ride again. Thank goodness it's finally
spring!!!

Our next step in the learning/riding/conditioning program is a Harry
Whitney clinic a week from today. I signed up to do a lesson on both my
horses, and have a friend that's going to videotape the sessions. 

Ruth