Getting more forage into the pasture boarded horse

[fivestrideline]

What’s the most efficient way to get forage calories into my 24/7 turnout horse? He’s out with other horses but does come into his stall for meals. I’m looking for a way to up his quality forage intake (preferably alfalfa), but I need to do so in a way that doesn’t take forever - the opposite of 99% of the threads I could find. I actually don’t want to slow him down!

Here’s his setup:

• 24/7 outside with friends except for really bad weather. Comes in for meals.
• grass hay thrown 2x daily in the pasture (about 40-50lbs total per feeding for 3 horses). He is the boss so he gets his choice of hay piles
• grass hay in the stall, loose on the floor. He eats some but is more interested in watching people and harassing his neighbors than eating it. It gets turned into bedding, mostly
• His feed is 1.5lb TC 30, 3lb Kalm N EZ, 2ish lb hay stretcher pellets (to help cover up his supps) split into two feedings. He gets E, Cu/Zn, biotin, Mg, and free choice loose white salt + several different salt block options

He LOVES the Triple Crown Safe Starch chopped forage, as well as chopped alfalfa. The TC is getting expensive ($30 for 40lb), and the chopped alfalfa has been so dusty it sends me into a coughing fit and has coated every inch of the loft. I really would like to find a more economical and less hazardous way to get more forage into my horse!

I can get regular hay, but there is limited storage and I expect the hay would be different each time. With his meh attitude about the barn hay (it’s green and soft), I’m hesitant to go switching it up every time and spinning the wheel on if he will eat it. I’m also having trouble finding non-slow feed hay bag options that won’t break the bank and also hold a whole bale (ideally, though a half bale would do).

Any ideas?

[Simkie]

Is there a reason why soaked alfalfa cubes or pellets isn’t a good fit here?

[fivestrideline]

No hot water, mainly. And unlike soaked stuff, I can put any dry forage back in the bin (or leave it in his stall) if he doesn’t finish it.

I guess part of what that ramble is trying to ask is:

• are there any good hay bags that don’t effectively slow them down? Preferably that can hold 1/2 bale+?
• chopped forage: are there any options that aren’t crazy expensive and also are known to be less dusty? Any genius feeding methods besides a tub trug left in the stall to be turned into a projectile once empty?
• am I missing something else that super obvious, that doesn’t require soaking?

[JB]

80-100lb of hay per day for 3 horses, is 26-33lb per horse per day, assuming everyone eats equally

What’s the actual goal for the stall? Calories? If so, then I’d double the KNE and drop the TC 30

Is the pasture hay low quality? If so, defined how?

[fivestrideline]

@JB

What’s the actual goal for the stall? Calories? If so, then I’d double the KNE and drop the TC 30

Is the pasture hay low quality? If so, defined how?

Maybe? His condition has declined a bit, though I admit he’s in 0 work. He’s not thin, just lacking topline and general bulk. This is the first winter at this new barn, so we are still working out the kinks since the setup is different. I’m used to round bales/pasture blocks (aka confirmed free choice high quality hay 24/7) and this horse being fat on the TC30 and a handful of grain for flavor.

Pasture hay is fine grass hay, not sure exactly what. It’s crazy muddy here, so there’s a lot of waste.

ETA: my attachment to adding extra forage vs switching to grain (which has crossed my mind) is that this is the first time in a while he’s not been chonky, and I’m unsure how much forage he’s actually getting

[RhythmNCruise]

There’s a thread around here somewhere about the new Forage Only feed from Unbeetable. Several of us have tried it with good results. It’s three ingredients: alfalfa, beet pulp, and flaxseed oil. It is in very small pellets that are small and soft enough they can be fed dry to most horses, but for those who like to soak (me) they soak up super fast…like almost instantly, even in cold water.

My horse hoovers it up like it’s the best thing ever, and he has packed on a little weight, especially over his booty and topline since I started feeding this stuff. He wasn’t exactly needing to fill out (or I didn’t think he did), but I’ve been pleased with his condition since replacing the shredded beet pulp with this Forage Only stuff.

My horse also gets a little chopped alfalfa mixed with the soaked mash of the Forage Only and TC Gold Balancer, plus Omega Horseshine and a smattering of other supplements. He also gets about 22 pounds of baled hay a day. But he’s been getting all of that for awhile and I do think the Forage Only has had a positive impact on his overall condition. He’s round in the right places but still in shape.

The only issue is finding and getting it. Tractor Supply has it on their website and you can order it online to be delivered to your home or to a local store for pick-up. Hopefully they’ll start carrying it in the stores if it begins catching on.

[JB]

Ok, so there’s a possibility he’s not eating even, or much more than, 2% of his weight in hay. That can definitely present a problem. If he’s getting at least 1.5% of his weight, then that’s at least decent enough, and maybe from there the focus should be on high fiber high calorie options.

Hay pellets are going to take the least time to eat. It’s probably a tossup between chopped hay, and soaked hay cubes

The Unbeetable Forage Only product Rhythm referenced (available only at Tractor Supply) is pretty nice, soaks very quickly, higher calories than just alfalfa. The pellets are small (think suitable for foals), and soft, so IF he’s the type who will safely eat dry pellets, that’s an option, if you’d like them there free choice without fuss. Otherwise, you don’t need hot water, and could quickly soak a few pounds.

DuMor chopped Timoth & Alfalfa is actually quite lovely in smell and (according to 2 of mine) taste (the 34yo I got it for loved the smell so much he tried to eat it, but still quids so he quit ). it’s a little dusty as my only complaint.

[Simkie]

@fivestrideline

are there any good hay bags that don’t effectively slow them down? Preferably that can hold 1/2 bale+?

I really don’t find a 2" net to slow them down, it just limits waste. I like the red and black shires nets, and they easily hold a small bale (up to maybe 60/70 #s?)

Pellets or cubes can soak in cold water, but I get your reluctance to use a “perishable” product. It IS an easy way to do more forage, though, so maybe worth trying a small amount, maybe in combo with other changes?

[McGurk]

Piggybacking on what others have said, I’d be looking at alfalfa cubes or pellets, or the alfalfa/timothy mix.

Soaking in cold water doesn’t diminish the relish with which my horses attack them. (I think the hot water makes me feel better, I don’t think they care.) I get your concern about wastage/spoilage, so I would just start with small amounts, gradually increase until you see some wastage, and then back off.

Seems to be the most efficient solution.

[LCDR]

My horses, who can dawdle over grass hay for hours, will practically attack and devour a flake of alfalfa in just about 10 or 15 minutes.

My alfalfa is either Standlee or Ametza compressed bales, whichever I can find when needed. Both brands are dusty, which I understand is basically alfalfa sawdust created when large bales are sawn using big bandsaws into smaller ones, and is completely edible. Maybe moisten a flake before feeding (not soak) to minimize inhaled dust. I wear an N95 mask myself when I am working with the alfalfa bales.

I have tried soaked alfalfa cubes and pellets, but the horses prefer the stem and leaf mix, and I’d rather them get the baled stuff in their guts as well. Mine are out 24/7 and depending upon how the pasture grass is growing, I feed as little as 4 pounds of alfalfa in the morning only up to 12 pounds (divided into 3 feedings in their stalls). They graze and forage for their remaining needs. I do feed them a ration balancer as well. And I do own a horse scale and keep tabs on body weights to aid in determining the amounts of alfalfa each is fed.

[Janet]

@Simkie

I really don’t find a 2" net to slow them down, it just limits waste. I like the red and black shires nets, and they easily hold a small bale (up to maybe 60/70 #s?)

Same here.

[LCDR]

It did not take my voracious draft long to master haynets. He head butts them against the wall until all the hay falls onto the ground. Then he devours the loose mound of hay from the floor. No wasted time screwing around pulling out hay with his lips and teeth.

[fivestrideline]

@Simkie

I really don’t find a 2" net to slow them down, it just limits waste. I like the red and black shires nets, and they easily hold a small bale (up to maybe 60/70 #s?)

Well that’s good! Everything 2" is just labeled “slow feed” vs 1" “extra slow feed” so the marketing may be deceptive. This horse is very familiar with hay nets, but I am looking for a hay bag that has the stiffer top and clips up (no tying for me!). However, the price on the Shire’s is attractive, I won’t lie.

The issue with “cold soaking” cubes or pellets is I’ve never found a brand that breaks down fast enough. Pellets or cubes, there’s always some dry and rock hard bits. I’m feel like my horses eat more of the chopped or full stem stuff, albeit slower. This works though because I don’t have to throw out soggy hay cubes!

I showed the Unbeetable feed to my BO and we are going to check it out - if it’s actually in stock close to here I’ll just go grab a bag for funsies. We have a few horses here that could use the boost, so it may get ordered regardless.

[Equestrianette]

Put out a round bale

[luvmyhackney]

A 2” hay net doesn’t slow them down much especially if it has alfalfa in it.

When is the last time he has had his teeth done? Usually picking at hay means difficulty chewing if it’s nice soft hay.

[Simkie]

@fivestrideline

This horse is very familiar with hay nets, but I am looking for a hay bag that has the stiffer top and clips up (no tying for me!). However, the price on the Shire’s is attractive, I won’t lie.

I thread a snap with a large eye on the string of my nets, so hanging is just clipping it up. Makes it super easy. Fill, knot the top, then snap to a ring in the stall. Shires nets are very well priced!

The Unbeatable stuff does soak VERY quickly, even in cold water. It’s entirely broken apart in like five minutes. My horses are kind of meh about it, but they’re kind of meh about beet pulp in general, so no real surprise! Other people have horses that think it’s very palatable.

I actually was just looking tonight to see if the Unbeatable guys had an alfalfa (only) pellet, and it’s a bummer they don’t. Whatever extrusion process they’re using makes such a nice pellet!

[lenapesadie]

I have OG Nibble Nets. Stiffer tops, snaps. Easy to fill and hang. 2” mesh.

I’ll be the voice of dissent and say that I think they slow the horses down substantially.

You can find hay bags with the single large hole in the front. I think I’ve had Weaver brand before. They aren’t stiff at the top but they clip. IME that bag is less slow feed than the 2” mesh.

Neither of those will hold a full bale (or even close).

I’m a huge fan of the Porta Grazer and it would suit your situation but they are spendy. The holes on mine are about 4” and only slow a little.

The Hay Play bags look good but I haven’t tried one yet. I think they have 3” holes

[Simkie]

@lenapesadie

I have OG Nibble Nets. Stiffer tops, snaps. Easy to fill and hang. 2” mesh.

I’ll be the voice of dissent and say that I think they slow the horses down substantially.

I think it tracks that a nibble net would slow a horse down quite a bit more than a standard rope net.

[walktrot]

You have to do the math. JB lays it out. I always used 2% of body weight, which for my 1150 lb gelding was 25-30 pounds per day. You have to weigh flakes regularly to get an idea of what your bales are like. He was pasture boarded for 19 years with round bales. When we retired to a small barn with square bales the flakes were 4-5 lbs. He maintained perfect body weight on free choice. The barn was sold to an amateur owner who didn’t understand free choice. Pissed me off. Fortunately one of my fellow boarders checked his stall before she left at night and tossed more in if he needed it.

Don;t use a net unless you really need to slow them down. They can be destructive to the teeth. It does act like free choice becasue they almost always have something to nibble on. I saw one article that said if you have a small amount of hay in the bottom of the net at the end of the day they are getting the correct amount.

My gelding was pretty funny managing his hay at the new barn. We had to move it from the usual location in the stall because he pooped and peed on it. I had them put the flakes on the long wall between the stall door to the aisleway and the backdoor to his runout, open 100% of the time. He would grab a big wads of each flake, shake them around in the air and drop it along the wall. When he was finished he had it in a neat mound running along the wall about 18" wide. Usually he would push some out the back door whcih had a matted surface and overhang which kept it dry. He was a licker. He loved his grain astonisinghly soupy and licked the wall. It had a dry coating and he would nibble bits of it when the spirit moved him. Note he looks into the camera. You can see a little hay a the bottom of the door. Amazing. Unique.

[stryder]

You mention that he may/may not have lost weight, but has lost topline and general bulk. Could this be because he’s not in work?