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Discussion on Pasture/Hay Question
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Member:
mysi
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Posted on Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 5:27 pm:
I'm still learning about this pasture thing. So my horses are out from about 5am-7:30pm on Fescue/Orchard mix pasture (mostly Fescue)...they all get grain (Moose 1scp 2xDay /Sweetheart 2 handfuls 2xDay Equine Senior, Patches 1/2scp 2xDay Triple Crown Complete) I give them hay when they are in (about 3 flakes each, except Sweetheart only gets 1-2), right now Timothy/Orchard mix and Alfalfa for Moose, Alfalfa Cubes for Sweetheart & Patches. They all three rank about 6 on the Body score.
Question 1. I'm thinking of changing to fescue hay as it seems to be the easiest to get around here. Is it just as good?
Question 2. Moose is very sensible about how much he eats, but Patches and Sweetheart eat whatever is in front of them. I did cut back Patches grain as she was reaching a 7, they all seem to be rounding out a bit. Now that the pasture is flourishing, and they are grazing 14 hours a day, do I cut down on the amount of hay at night to control their weight?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 8:09 pm:
Hi melissa, I have been letting mine out on the "good" pasture for about 2hrs. a day in return I took away a leaf of hay. Nothing seems to put weight on a horse as well as grass . I taped them the other day and all are the same weight, tho I think they look a little rounder as you say.
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Member:
maggienm
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Posted on Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 10:39 pm:
Melissa, I would suggest you read the article on hay , particularly about fescue.
Hay versus pasture is a juggling act. I have limited pasture and have to buy hay, so I limit the pasture time, bring the horses into the pen and in the evening I give them a bit of hay so they have something to munch on, break up their evening a bit.
If they start to get a bit round I reduce whatever I have in least supply.
If your horses are on pasture for 14 hrs a day and they look plenty round they probably don't need any hay.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 7:14 am:
Melissa, as Lori indicates we discuss different types of hay in the forages article. Concerning dietary adjustment we recommend you remove concentrates before forages see the Golden Rule in the Overview on Nutrition Article.
DrO
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Member:
mysi
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Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 9:22 pm:
I guess I missed the whole forage article. I have read it now! But...there's always a but...I see the fescue has "risks"...I don't have any pregnant mares, and no issues with cooling down after working either. BTW, I have a good bit of clover in a few of my pastures too. I didn't know that I did until tonight when I asked my neighbor what the weed was growing everywhere! (I told you I am new at this!)
I am looking to buy alot of hay, to get through the summer and also to stock up and store for the winter. I have found a few suppliers. My options are Fescue or Orchard grass (I will also be getting straight alfalfa from another supplier up north to supplement). But which is the better choice between fescue or orchard??? For free choice purposes?
What do you feed your horses Dr. O?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 - 8:26 am:
Fescue/clover pasture with the best quality hay, no matter the specie, that I can find.
DrO
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