tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post3323786933074462015..comments2024-03-01T06:49:59.106-05:00Comments on Behind the Bit: Make-believe barn manager: "He's too thin"Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-71688574033892987542010-04-02T21:34:10.461-04:002010-04-02T21:34:10.461-04:00Stacey, I'm not sure I understand your respons...Stacey, I'm not sure I understand your response - I'm saying a barn manager who doesn't understand why horses need plenty of hay when stalled (aside from just the weight/condition issues, which is also obviously important) wouldn't get my business. <br /><br />We did self-care board when we boarded, so we provided our own feed AND hay, but I would have gladly paid extra if billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-40958774290668495792010-04-01T11:43:26.497-04:002010-04-01T11:43:26.497-04:00Cow hay? Our beef gets the same hay as our Appalo...Cow hay? Our beef gets the same hay as our Appaloosas in the winter and in summer are pastured on old hay fields that will be turned and re-cultivated in the next year. <br />Sometimes owners want hay in front of the horse all the time but don't realize that they don't eat it all and just turn it into their shavings, wasting an expensive resource. That's why I like haybags in stall Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02023103816800323713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-73091409676496916402010-03-30T18:21:10.456-04:002010-03-30T18:21:10.456-04:00I'd like to point out to Allie that in some re...I'd like to point out to Allie that in some regions the grazing season is 4 months long, so hay is the big issue, not inadequate pasture.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-8960336906569829982010-03-30T15:36:19.427-04:002010-03-30T15:36:19.427-04:00It seems to me maybe this is a more of a problem a...It seems to me maybe this is a more of a problem at barns with inadequate pasture. Our major problem, except for a couple of months in winter, is having to put muzzles on horses in the pasture so they don't get TOO fat. But we have daily turnout on good pasture, so they are barely even interested in the hay. Plus hay constantly available in the barn, plus grain and feed and supplements for Allienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-30296880703981225012010-03-30T15:02:41.978-04:002010-03-30T15:02:41.978-04:00$1 a flake doesn't really seem like an exorbit...$1 a flake doesn't really seem like an exorbitant price ... then again our hay is $10-$15 per square bale. <br /><br />Hay consumption is a pretty big deal to me as a boarder now. When I finally learned that my horse wasn't getting as much to eat as he should, it felt horrible. He had been shiny and of a decent (but not excellent) weight.<br /><br />Even though I am moving next week I'Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03210666857862017395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-90459222642900621132010-03-30T14:03:33.201-04:002010-03-30T14:03:33.201-04:00I own an ottb hard keeper, he packs down 15 flakes...I own an ottb hard keeper, he packs down 15 flakes of hay a day! Four of those flakes are included in my board, the extra is supplied and fed by the barn owner, and I am charged extra, per flake. Works for me!Susannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-59416272571685422042010-03-30T09:13:09.726-04:002010-03-30T09:13:09.726-04:00I board at a full training barn. I'm really th...I board at a full training barn. I'm really the only "boarder" (and even I'm buying partial training/lessons). The horses are all fed hay more or less the same, depending on their personal needs. But no one is charged extra for more. The BO buys large round bales and puts those out in the run-ins. So while outside they eat at will. On average I'd say each horse can pack downA Bay Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16519878838113259362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-5511526892458537032010-03-30T09:10:12.676-04:002010-03-30T09:10:12.676-04:00Billie, IMO there is a difference between survivin...Billie, IMO there is a difference between surviving and thriving. I have seen horses on "sufficient" hay at horse shows all the time. The horse isn't unhealthy but IMO he needs extra groceries. <br /><br />If you can find a barn manager who cares as much about your horse's glowing health as you do, more power to ya! In my experience, they're struggling to make ends meet.Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-7889720405757153602010-03-30T08:07:00.522-04:002010-03-30T08:07:00.522-04:00IMO, the issue is less about "skinny" an...IMO, the issue is less about "skinny" and more about what horses need to maintain a healthy digestive tract.<br /><br />A barn owner who doesn't understand this and limits hay for stalled horses is a barn owner who would never get my business.billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-75278733696807094852010-03-30T00:41:00.367-04:002010-03-30T00:41:00.367-04:00We struggled with the hay thing for ages. It worke...We struggled with the hay thing for ages. It worked best when we boarded partial-care and provided our own hay - we could feed as much as we wanted and the barn owners seemed willing to feed what we said. <br /><br />Right now we board full-care at a wonderful place. She feeds as much hay (nice grass or orchard/timothy) as the horse needs and figures it evens out. She'll supplement with manymisadventureshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00269126419483167938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-33485393694329268282010-03-29T21:18:32.861-04:002010-03-29T21:18:32.861-04:00I board at a very humble barn, but I chose it beca...I board at a very humble barn, but I chose it because every horse there is in good flesh. the BO is crazy about making sure they all stay healthy. <br /><br />I'll give up cedar roofs and fancy stalls for someone who gives a darn.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13104422629934443842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-81790115473663109042010-03-29T20:20:54.608-04:002010-03-29T20:20:54.608-04:00Thankfully I have my horses home now, but if I eve...Thankfully I have my horses home now, but if I ever had to board and could not feed "extra" hay, I would just add hay stretcher or alfalfa pellets to my horse's diet. (Alfalfa pellets, as per the feed rep's instructions, have done wonders for my older mare who lost weight last year because she is not as much of a "hay vacuum" as she was when she was younger). I have Clover Ledge Farmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03980479474173795906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-33395424957077780452010-03-29T19:40:04.351-04:002010-03-29T19:40:04.351-04:00I just clicked on the "part 2" hay segme...I just clicked on the "part 2" hay segment...hilarious! I especially love the "control moms". Nice touch.<br /><br />Eek. My horse is finally (after a year of feeding adjustments) at the elusive body condition of "five" and now he has decided that he does not like the latest shipment of hay. My barn manager has interpreted this as "he is full". I know Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-58303522801914875832010-03-29T18:16:56.878-04:002010-03-29T18:16:56.878-04:00Thank heavens my Boys are home now. I can feed as ...Thank heavens my Boys are home now. I can feed as much hay as I want. <br /><br />I've been at barns where hay was an issue. It was hard leaving at night after I'd ridden with my horse's hay rack empty. We were allowed to give more hay, but I'm not sure it always stayed in the stall after I left. This was not the owner/operator's doing, but rather a barn manager who had Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10029423500476995817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-76553004434598114712010-03-29T17:47:11.658-04:002010-03-29T17:47:11.658-04:00I like how our barn handles it. 10 lbs alfalfa is...I like how our barn handles it. 10 lbs alfalfa is included in your board. More, or bermuda (which both my horses get because they're easy keepers but like to have something to chew on) costs extra. Everything is laid out clearly on their website:<br />http://www.ravenranch.com/rates.html<br /><br />I think doing anything "by the flake" is dangerous. When feeding yourself, you Nethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08817230186352688525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-58254635342543229842010-03-29T17:47:11.659-04:002010-03-29T17:47:11.659-04:00@Sprinkler my 2000lb 18 hand Belgian Draft eats th...@Sprinkler my 2000lb 18 hand Belgian Draft eats the same as my and other TBs at the barn. Throwing Drafts into the "they will eat you out of home" category just isn't fair. I have seen many TB's, including my own out eat him on many days.<br /><br />But hay and cost is always a sore subject especially in hard economic times and seasons where grass, timothy and alfalfa may be Jay Jenningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17159278482063488370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-14046341750887220672010-03-29T17:35:28.987-04:002010-03-29T17:35:28.987-04:00Is this really a huge issue? Maybe hay is cheaper...Is this really a huge issue? Maybe hay is cheaper where I live, but I've never heard of this being a problem. I can't imagine that anyone would agree to not feed their horse appropriately, just because extra hay was "forbidden." Ours is a small place comparatively, but the horses who board with us get whatever it takes to keep them in good condition, period.<br /><br />And by Allienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-52400413919190388812010-03-29T17:01:07.859-04:002010-03-29T17:01:07.859-04:00I board at a barn where the super-nice and not bus...I board at a barn where the super-nice and not business oriented BO doesn't charge extra for hay. Yup. The easy keeper pays the same amount the 19-hand-constantly-eating shire gelding does. <br /><br />I think it's ridiculous. I don't really ever plan to run a boarding facility, but if I did, you bet your bottom dollar that super-destructive high-maintenance horses (aka the draft) SprinklerBandithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11381922004203479379noreply@blogger.com