We use round bales all the time and have done so for nearly 30 years.
The major consideration is that all horses have access to the hay, so your
evaluation of the herd dynamics is critical, ensuring that one or more horses is
not pushed away from the hay. Our limit is 6 horses per ring.
We have a winter sacrifice area in which we place the round bales in their
feeders (5 at all times). This is surrounded on the north and west by
huge, dense cedar trees, to cut the winter winds. We do move the
rings/bales each time we resupply. While feeding 35-40 + horses at any
given time, the 5 bales are consumed within 5-7 days so exposure to the
elements/spoilage is not an issue.
For storage, we leave the bales in the hay meadow where they were produced,
in another sacrifice area, one bale deep, lined touching each other so that only
the bottom molds and is wasted. We do move them out of fire danger over a
few months just in case some id%^t drops a cigarette on the highway a mile away,
catching the tall grass prairie pastures on fire, burning us off. Should
our hay supply burn, we would be in a grave situation.
We still have to feed squares to the various horses which are confined due
to physical limitations or are in quarantine. The round bales make life
much simpler.
Cost - we feed prairie hay exclusively. We produce the hay ourselves,
but when we sell a few bales, we charge $40.00 per 1000 pound bale, so $80.00
per ton.
Karen Everhart MEd Co-founder and Executive Director Rainbow Meadows
Rescue and Retirement, Inc. Serving the equine companions who have so loyally
served us... www.rainbowmeadowsranch.com 620-725-3402
Owner/Operator Horse Calls - Equine Management Solutions Centered
Riding Instructor Distance Horse Conditioning and Training www.horsecalls.com 316-648-5082
