Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

> Even here in Ga. They eat more. They can eat 2 days less on a round bale
>  when it's been cold. I've read you add about 10% to rations per 10
> degree  drop. under freezing.  And when we get the 33 degree with cold
> rain for 6  hours or more ,you just bet they shiver if they don't have a
> waterproof  blanket or shelter.
I'll take sub-zero to cold rain for horses ANY time...  If they can stay
dry, you can feed them warm, but if the rain mats down their insulation,
they're sunk.

You're right about the big bales--I free-feed several head, and a drop in
temp means a noticeable increase in how rapidly the hay disappears.  My
broodmare/filly group (27 head at the moment) normally goes through 4
round bales of good quality grass hay in about 8 days.  When we had our
sub-zero dip, the hay man had to deliver in 7 days instead, and I had to
give them a meal feeding before he got there because they were running
out.  Now we're back up to the single digit nights and 20s during the day,
and we're back out to 8 days...  But given the feed, they are woolly and
happy and out rolling in the snow having a grand old time--not a shiver in
the bunch.

Heidi



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=