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Discussion on Bringing horses home from stable | |
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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!!!! |
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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? |
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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 |
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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! |
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Posted on Wednesday, Jun 14, 2000 - 12:22 am: Can you advise where I can purchase Fast Track? |
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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. |
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