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[RC] Just how "evil" is alfalfa? - JonniI'd stay with situation B. The problem I see with the first situation is not so much the feed, but having several other horses in there with him, in only a 2 acre turnout. You have no control over what other horses will be with him, and that is not a big area. If you end up getting a horse in who is a bully, it can not only cause injuries, but feeding time often ends up in squabbles and the horse lowest on the pecking order won't get as much food. You can not regulate the horses intake as well. If it is true pasture, with grazing, some of the squabbling is diminished, as "feeding time" is not as much a priority in their little minds. If he seems to have adjusted from pasture to the current corral, I'd say that seems to be a very doable situation. He has company. They just can't steal his feed, or kick him. Growing up in So. Calif., we kept horses in 12x24 corrals for over 20 years at various locations. Many have never seen a pasture, so they only know that type of housing. Now we are in Texas, with the 5 horses out in a 22 acre pasture. What I found is, the So. Cal type housing, actually had me making sure to get the horses out and exercised on a more regular basis. Also, the over all injuries, cuts, scrapes etc. were minimal as to being in pasture. AND, I noticed them quicker when the horse was in that situation, as I HAD to feed them twice a day, look them over, clean the corral etc. For those who have never had to deal with the corral / stable type of housing, with no pasture, they often feel it is cruel and a horrible situation for the horses. But, it is how thousands of horses just in the Los Angeles area alone are kept, and it works.I never did have any of the vices so many say they will get, such as cribbing, stall weaving etc. But as I said, mine got out a bunch, on to some awesome trails. If your horse is adjusted to it, I'd personally stay with it. You just have more over all control it seems of not only his feed, but his welfare too. Good luck. I know how finding a nice place in the So. Cal. area can be difficult. We were lucky to have our own horse property. Jonni (who escaped L.A. in 2000, for Texas...yeehaw!) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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