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Post by FlyingCowgirl on Oct 2, 2010 18:29:02 GMT -8
I'm wondering if anyone feeds rounds? Also wondering if they have just one horse and still feed rounds?
My Arabian is getting older and I would like to be able to keep hay in front of him during the cold winter months at all times. So, pondering if I should give him a round bale. Or will it turn bad before he finishes it?
I have fed my two horses a round and that was fine. But, now I have just one, so not sure if it's a good idea or not.
What are your thoughts?
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Post by andrea on Oct 3, 2010 19:42:39 GMT -8
I'd be afraid it would get moldy before he'd get it finished. I've never fed rounds but I've heard that if it's wet out and you don't have many horses it doesn't work very well. Unless you have cover to put it under? Also, they like to bed down and poop and pee in it, but you probably already know that. I have a friend who has had good results with wrapping a cattle panel around it instead of buying a feeder. As they eat it I think she shrinks it down. (She has sheep too and they just stick their noses through the squares.) It's held closed with clips, like the ones you find on lead ropes or dog leashes.
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ogm
Newborn Foal
OGM = "old gray mare"
Posts: 22
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Post by ogm on Oct 4, 2010 3:57:22 GMT -8
I've found every horse different in how they treat and eat a round bale. Like Andrea mentioned, some will use the outter wrap as bedding. Most start to eat from the center first, some enough that they eat a hole large enough to put their entire head into (watch for eye issues from chaff)
A covered area is an ideal spot if you have one.
There is a chance for mold, not only at the bottom where the bale has sat but possibly also in the interior if it had any moisture left at bailing. When I was feeding round bales thankfully none of mine would touch anything that resembled mold, anything moldy ended up as more bedding.
Cattle panels are handy, although depending on type and material they can create issues of their own. I've seen some nasty accidents over the years.
Good luck!
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Post by FlyingCowgirl on Oct 4, 2010 13:22:48 GMT -8
Thank you both for your thoughts. I do have a round bale feeder, so sleeping in it wouldn't be an issue. I think I will definately wait until the *white stuff* flies before considering this and maybe I would only do it if we have a winter like 2 and 3 yrs ago, not like last year.
When I had the two horses boarded, the owner said that she never saw their heads until that bale was gone. They mowed it down, eating non-stop.
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hkfarms
Newborn Foal
~Kim~
Posts: 34
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Post by hkfarms on Oct 4, 2010 15:36:26 GMT -8
I thought about making something like this next year... just take the top off, pitch fork fill it then put top back on. Probably not as much waste and mold. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ddxt7FF-6c |
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Post by obsidianmoonranch on Oct 4, 2010 18:39:19 GMT -8
I feed round bales, using a hay hut. This is the best way to feed to horses, because it keeps the worst of the weather off for the horses. Check out www.hayhuts.com/. I've also attached a photo of mine. Attachments:
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ogm
Newborn Foal
OGM = "old gray mare"
Posts: 22
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Post by ogm on Oct 5, 2010 4:07:58 GMT -8
Way kewl! I love the Hay Hut!!!
I'm curious though .... knowing foals after having a few of my own I wonder if that wee one has ever managed to climb in it?
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Post by StillPlayswithHorses on Oct 5, 2010 8:46:55 GMT -8
Love the picture!
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Post by obsidianmoonranch on Oct 7, 2010 15:49:06 GMT -8
Way kewl! I love the Hay Hut!!! I'm curious though .... knowing foals after having a few of my own I wonder if that wee one has ever managed to climb in it? When she was a couple weeks old, she got partially in it, but got herself out on her own. By the time she was a month old, she was too big though (purebred baroque Friesian... she's going to be a big girl...). |
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Post by hayburneracres on Oct 7, 2010 18:35:03 GMT -8
that is really neat I have never heard of a hay hut!
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Post by obsidianmoonranch on Oct 7, 2010 22:29:03 GMT -8
I never had until recently either. I've seen one other place with a hay hut, locally. It works really well for feeding the round bales to horses. As you can see from the picture, the hay is completely protected except for the holes. There are two on each side, for a total of eight. It comes in two pieces that bolt together and it's fairly easy to move.
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