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Patti G
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 15, 1999 - 12:49 pm: |   |
We bought two horses from the stable nearby. What is the best way to acclimate them to their new home? We have about 2 acres for pasture and a loafing shed for them. They have been kept outside at the stable too. Also, if I buy hay from the same place as the stable does, and the sames oats and vitamin supplements, will I be OK as far as not causing problems with a diet change? They have not been in the same field at the stable - Is it OK to just put them in the field together and see how it goes? In case you can't tell we are just starting out in the "horse business" We are very excited to have them home. |
Chris M
| | Posted on Thursday, Apr 15, 1999 - 1:24 pm: | |
Be sure to walk the fence line with each one so they learn the "boundary." If the fence is hard to see (electric/wire) you might tie survey tape strips around the perimeter, too.
Is the new pasture really lush and different than their old one? You might want to build up pasture time if it is instead of letting them eat their fill all at once. This might avoid laminitis, etc.
As far as introducing them - it would probably be okay to let them sort it out - but some people will arrange this in adjacent paddocks so the horses don't have to be together until they are used to one another.
Also check for "small areas" where one may be trapped - corners, tight areas in the loafing shed and a gate at the corner of the pasture are two possiblities.
Food should be okay if you buy the same hay and oats - but to be sure, you could buy a couple of bales and a sack of feed from the stable and gradually switch them to your supply.
Be sure to have a salt block set out and check the water supply daily for quantity and cleanliness.
When you feed hay, throw out 3 piles instead of two so the "lesser" horse all ways has some.
Try to feed at the same time(s) every day. Horses love routine. If you can break their rations into smaller, more frequent feedings, it is easier on their digestion.
Congratulations on your purchase and venture into horsekeeping. I hope it is great fun. |
Diane B.
| | Posted on Monday, Apr 19, 1999 - 12:36 pm: | |
Chris gave all good hints. I have especially found the extra pile or two of hay to be a life-saver for the less dominant horse.
I, however, do not feed at the same time every day. I used to do that by the clock but I've heard from others that the horses' stomachs will become so in-tune to that time of day, that no matter what you're doing, a late afternoon trail ride, a late-running horse show, if it's feeding time, they will be monsters until they eat. I've relaxed the times I feed now, typically first thing in the AM and 1/2 hour before dark in the PM, generally within 2 hours each day, but I've fed as much as a 3-4 hour difference at times and my horses seem to be doing fine with this (not to mention how it has helped me and my busy schedule!). And never do they scream and hollar for their food or give me problems if I'm riding during dinner time.
Of course, what works for some doesn't work for all so take this as what works for me. Best of luck in your new adventure. It's a time-consuming but very rewarding and exciting life! |
Patti G
| | Posted on Tuesday, Apr 20, 1999 - 9:57 am: | |
Thanks for all the good advice - we are very excited about our new adventure! I might try the different feeding times - we've experienced the "I'm hungry" horse on the trail. Hope to have them home in about 10 days. Thanks again - I love this site :) |
Sherri L. Hueser
| | Posted on Thursday, Mar 9, 2000 - 3:51 pm: | |
I can relate to your anticipation. My husband and I recently bought two horses that will be on approximately 2-3 acres of new pasture also. We have been feeding them our hay and grain supply all winter at the boarder's so we shouldn't have the problem with new feed. I've also heard that it's a good idea that when you first back them off the trailer you have a pail of oats with you and walk them all over the place, as they will be excited about their new home, everything will be strange to them, but if they can take a bite of oats while you're familiarizing them, they will be less likely to spook at something they've never seen before. We're relatively new too to the horse business, I've always had horses as a kid growing up, but this is a little different. Good luck with your new adventure! I know we can't wait to bring our guys home either!!!! |
Jennifer Simpson
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 9, 2000 - 4:46 pm: | |
Doing the same, moving my horse home and have the questions about how much to feed. They haven't been on grass before, and will now be on a grass pasture. Should I cut back on their normal hay ration? Currently only eating alfalfa 2x's daily. Will keep them on alfalfa but should I cut back due to the new grass? |
Jacki Free
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2000 - 12:45 pm: | |
Greetings! I also recently purchased a horse. The seller I dealt with was fantastic; everyone should be so blessed! She increased his time on lush grass etc for a couple of weeks, and advised me to give only grass hay, no alfalfa/grass mix, until pasture growth slows down as summer progresses. (The lush pasture growth is plenty "hot" right now in my area for an easy keeper.) Local vet office also advised using products like "Fast Track" which contain live bacteria essential to healthy digestive track. The products are for everyday use, but are thought to be especially helpful during significant diet changes. During the first couple of days at new pasture my horse seemed increasingly "off". He also refused grass hay since new pasture was so nifty. I was concerned since I had been told the bulk of hay was important to keep the fresh grass moving through his gut while he acclimated. I didn't think I was seeing as much fresh manure as I thought was "normal", but gut sounds seemed good, and he wasn't showing any signs of colic etc. He just seemed dull, and not his normal self. It may have been just the stress of leaving home and familiar horses and people, and 2 & 1/2 hour tailer ride (he is a yearling). It was at that point I was told about "Fast Track". With in 2 days he seemed back to normal. I don't know if he would have been anyway, but I do know his attitude and demeanor was back to normal, and I was finding more fresh manure. What ever the cause for his improvement, I was relieved. Hope all you other new owners have as much reassurance and help as I did. Jacki |
Sherri L. Hueser
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2000 - 7:32 pm: | |
We've had our horses home for almost 2 weeks. We let them be on the pasture for 12 hours each day, but putting them in the barn and giving them timothy hay at night for roughage. We did this for one week and now they are out on the grass 24/7 and everyone seems happy and healthy. Their manure returned to normal after just a couple days. They really didn't seem to gorge themselves like we thought they might - I guess some horses are more likely to than others. They do enjoy their hay when we give it to them. Hope everyone's horses are fine and doing well! If only we could get rid of the ticks now! |
janis zral
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 14, 2000 - 12:22 am: | |
Can you advise where I can purchase Fast Track? |
Jacki Free
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jun 14, 2000 - 4:39 pm: | |
I purchased FASTRACK at a local feed store. I know there are also other "probiotic" supplements on the market. I just bought one of the specific brands mentioned by my vet. |
