only_me
Well-Known Member
Was wondering this the other day (procrastinating lol), I know some horses need to be kept on a strict amount of forage and others can have ad lib without stuffing themselves. Mine for example, has always been given ad lib/huge Hay Nets/compete access to a large bale but he never stands at the bale eating constantly, he eats a bit and then leaves it. Started off because he was hard to keep weight on as a 4/5/6 year old so always was ad lib. Same for his Haynets/haybin, there is always stuff left in am but even when I fill it or put Haynet up he isn't at the hay instantly. Others on the yard would stand at their net as soon as it goes up until it's finished, so end up being on a controlled amount.
Do you think this is a learnt behavior? Ie. If they are brought up on ad lib forage do they learn to eat till full/have had enough, whereas if always on a controlled amount of hay they scoff it quickly and eat till the cows come home.
So what do you think? Is always ad lib from a young age teaching horses to only eat "when hungry" or is it a natural thing for some horses to scoff till they drop?
Do you think this is a learnt behavior? Ie. If they are brought up on ad lib forage do they learn to eat till full/have had enough, whereas if always on a controlled amount of hay they scoff it quickly and eat till the cows come home.
So what do you think? Is always ad lib from a young age teaching horses to only eat "when hungry" or is it a natural thing for some horses to scoff till they drop?