Advice wanted, feeding hay in the field through winter when theres no grass...etc!

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Sunbeamstarshine

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Hi there, I'm new here and just wanted some feedback and advice really. I have a lovely 15.3 cob gelding, chunky soppy boy he is. We've had what can only be described as an awful year, particularly through the summer. We moved from our stable yard in the spring due to YO taking grazing and turnout away! We were expected to keep them on tiny paddocks or in for days at a time if there was the slightest whiff of rain :/ since then we have had to move around about 4 times :( we've had awful luck, flooded out of one paddock/yard with all the torrential rain, horses escaping and running loose on the road from another yard we went to because the fencing was falling down, just awful things, my boy and I are stressed out to the max to say the least! We have just moved to a little yard where there are only 3 other horses owned by one person, mother and daughter shares. The grazing there is pretty poor at mo but at least my boy has a stable and the fencing is secure! So I just thought I'd feed hay so that he'd not go hungary, YO said she was doing the same with hers. Well this last week I have had to put hay out not just for my horse but for the other 3 as well which I just cannot afford to do (I've recently been made redundant to top it all off!) the YO and her daughter have not bought ANY hay for well over a week and they know that to put hay out for my horse I have to put it out for theirs because they are all turned out together and the others bully my horse for his hay so I have to put enough out for all just so he gets some :( hes a soppy thing and sometimes I wish he'd just 'man up' a bit so he wasnt so bullied. They have now decided, after me pressing for an answer and having to feed their horses for well over a week, that they dont want to put hay out for theirs and feel there is enough grass for them (seriously, the field is like a bowling green and these horses are starving hungary when I turn up) they are also still being ridden at the weekend with no 'fuel in the tank' so to speak. The one horse is a very young ex-racer who doesnt have alot of meat on his bones, dont get me wrong hes not emaciated but bearing in mind hes very young, its winter and hes a thoroughbred I personally think he needs more to eat. I really dont know what to do now, I cant afford to keep feeding someone elses horses and cant bear the thought of having to move yet again :( does anyone have any advice, insight, ideas? I dont know really, I just feel utterly lost, stessed out and anxious, scared of the thought of moving and meeting more 'crazy' horse people (its notorious dont you think in the equine world) not everyone is crazy granted but I seem to have met more than my fair share of these sorts, its turning me into a nervous wreck! I really feel for these horses going hungary but dont feel I can say anything without causing a real issue. Any advice or anything would be greatfully received :)
 
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The tb will be emaciated by the end of the winter if it gets no hay, it is NOT your job to provide hay for others in the field but you cannot expect to give yours hay and the others to stand back and watch politely while he eats it obviously.

Options, 1 move again. It will cost you a fortune in hay you would be better off paying more for a quality yard that looks after their horses properly.

2 can you bring yours in either during the day or overnight so he can get a belly full of hay in peace?

3 fence the field so that yours is in one part with hay the others in their part, it probably will not work as if they get very hungry they will try and go through the fence.

The other issue you may get is hungry horses start fighting and can get injured, if it is the only field on the yard it will only get worse as we get into winter.
 
I had thought about sectioning part of the field off but I am pretty certain that they will go through the fence to get to the hay, they are so hungary, when I turn up at the yard they come charging over broncing kicking out and trying to bite each other to get to the hay first and they cant wolf it down quick enough. My poor lad just stands at the back waiting for me to sort the others out before I can get to him. One of the horses is a notorious fence jumper I've discovered since moving to the yard so I dont think sectioning the field off will be effective. I had thought about trying to bring him in for a haynet but he frets when hes on his own so I'm not convinced he'd stay in without trying to climb over the door! We had agreed that I would do set days and so would they but I am not convinced they always go up on their days as on one occasion I went up the day after they were meant to go up and they had no water! As I started filling the bath up they all came charging over trying to drink literally out of the hose! This is not what we agreed or how I expected it to be :( I am so tired of it all, if I didnt love my so so much I would've given up on the horse world by now, this last year has only brought stress and tears. But I only have to smell my boy and feel his soft muzzle affectionately nuzzling my hand and I remember what its all about. Hes such a genuine soul he hasnt got a bad bone in his body I just want him to be happy and for neither of us to be stressed, not sure how much more either of us can take! Thanks for your insight, I fear you may be right and another move is imminent :(
 
Tell us what part of the country you are in OP - posters may well be able to recommend some good yards for you to go and look at.
 
Sunbeamstarshine said:
I had thought about sectioning part of the field off but I am pretty certain that they will go through the fence to get to the hay, they are so hungary, when I turn up at the yard they come charging over broncing kicking out and trying to bite each other to get to the hay first and they cant wolf it down quick enough. (
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The same thing happened to my horse when the starving horses next door came charging through the electric fencing as they were so hungry. My horse ended up being kicked and rushed off to Newmarket with a suspected fracture. It cost me a fortune I can tell you.

Don't worry about moving. When I first kept horses I had six moves in a year. I couldn't believe some of the negligence and uncaring attitudes of YO's. It will cost you less in the long run than feeding other people's horses.
 
I would move to somewhere more suitable or try to bring in to feed your horse hay. I would NOT be responsible for feeding other peoples horses!
 
I am hugely worried about him being injured, one of the horses goes after him full pelt and I've had to run in swinging my lead rope round a couple of times to move this particular horse away from him. The stress its causing me at the moment is quite unbearable and I know hes definately feeling it too. If I do move I have no idea where to, I don't know anywhere with spaces, I guess I'd have to go door knocking and ask. I'm based in the West Midlands, the yard would need to be located anywhere from Lickey Hills, Rubery, Frankley, Waseley Hills through to Bell End, Hunnington, Fairfield or Bourneheath areas - ish! If anyone knows of anywhere, farms, fields etc I'd be happy to hear from you! Thanks for listening and replying everyone, I feel somewhat better just for getting it off my chest! :)
 
I would bring your horse in overnight and feed him plenty of hay in his stable. a few hours -even 8 hours out a day with only a nibble of grass will do him no harm at all so stop feeding hay in the field. It isn't necessary unless there is absolutely NO grass.
 
CBFan said:
I would bring your horse in overnight and feed him plenty of hay in his stable. a few hours -even 8 hours out a day with only a nibble of grass will do him no harm at all so stop feeding hay in the field. It isn't necessary unless there is absolutely NO grass.
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Good advice.

In the meantime do a new post enquiring about livery yards in your area.
 
The problem I have with bringing him in overnight is that he frets when hes on his own to the point where he once tried to climb over his stable door, a scary sight I can tell you and he was lucky to get away with just a couple of stitches :( the field is really really baron, they are nibbling at grass no more than a few millimetres long, I'm not sure how its ever going to recover! Will start a new post regarding liveries thats a good idea thank you :)
 
Sunbeamstarshine said:
The problem I have with bringing him in overnight is that he frets when hes on his own to the point where he once tried to climb over his stable door, a scary sight I can tell you and he was lucky to get away with just a couple of stitches :( the field is really really baron, they are nibbling at grass no more than a few millimetres long, I'm not sure how its ever going to recover! Will start a new post regarding liveries thats a good idea thank you :)
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Try doing it this weekend when you can be around for a few hours... or even of an evening during the week. bring him in, put him in his stable with some hay, fuss and groom him while he eats, then if he seems happy, leave the stable for a little while before returning...gradually build up the time he is left. If he is hungry he will be more concerned about eating than he will be about fretting.

The grass will recover. believe me. it's amazing stuff.
 
What a pain for you, how long have these people had their horses? I fear that if they have only just got the TB this summer it will be in for a rough winter until they realise :-/

I hope if you do move the next place is the one for you! There will be private fields and yards around, put a wanted ad up in all available areas, tack shops etc!

Bringing him in for as long as possible for hay sounds like a good idea in the meantime.
 
How distressing for you. It's Such a tricky thing to find field sharers who care for and feed their horses in a compatible way as yourself. A supportive YO is essential. Hope you find somewhere that's right for you very soon
 
just wanted to say i really feel for you and agree that you probably need to move. Hopefully with support and practical help from this lot you can find somewhere decent.
 
Thanks everyone for all your help and advice I really appreciate it and it has made me feel a little less alone and upset so big thanks for that :) I will certainly try bringing him in on his own and see how he goes, hopefully as you say he'll be so focused on eating he wont notice hes alone! I've just got back from yard and they were all starving again, the other people have decided not to bother going up tonight so they would've had no bucket feed either had I not bothered to sort them out. Their other animals had no food or water either so I had to sort them out too. Its awful. I cant see any other option other than to move, again, which is what I'm going to work on I think. But thank you all for making me feel justified in how I feel and not a silly panderer whos worrying about nothing which is what they would have me believe to be quite honest.
 
mandwhy said:
What a pain for you, how long have these people had their horses? I fear that if they have only just got the TB this summer it will be in for a rough winter until they realise :-/

They've had him just a few weeks, hes really going to struggle I fear. They seem to think that the way to keep their horses looking 'trim' is to not feed them instead of feeding them to compensate for the cold, lack of grass etc and then exercising them to keep them fit and healthy. It all seems very back to front. The poor TB is also being ridden by a novice who, if the horse was at full fitness and health would be an ok weight for him but in his current condition I think is too heavy for him. I dread to think the damage that may be done and think it may be enough to turn him sour :( such a shame, I dont know why people have animals if they dont want the commitment they bring.
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CBFan said:
I would bring your horse in overnight and feed him plenty of hay in his stable. a few hours -even 8 hours out a day with only a nibble of grass will do him no harm at all so stop feeding hay in the field. It isn't necessary unless there is absolutely NO grass.
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This is what I do as my mare shares a paddock with a little pony who really would stuff himself to death. I leave a big net for early morning and give her another while I muck out, then pop her out later with a full belly. She's always at the gate ready to come in at 3 and wanting her net, but it won't kill her and there is grass, although not a lot. It works well at the moment but I may have to change things later on in the winter.

Hope you can find a way for you and your boy.
 
Sunbeamstarshine said:
I am hugely worried about him being injured, one of the horses goes after him full pelt and I've had to run in swinging my lead rope round a couple of times to move this particular horse away from him. The stress its causing me at the moment is quite unbearable and I know hes definately feeling it too. If I do move I have no idea where to, I don't know anywhere with spaces, I guess I'd have to go door knocking and ask. I'm based in the West Midlands, the yard would need to be located anywhere from Lickey Hills, Rubery, Frankley, Waseley Hills through to Bell End, Hunnington, Fairfield or Bourneheath areas - ish! If anyone knows of anywhere, farms, fields etc I'd be happy to hear from you! Thanks for listening and replying everyone, I feel somewhat better just for getting it off my chest! :)
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Go into Jackie Roberts Saddlery in Romsley, they have a notice board with plenty of yards advertising all sorts of livery.
 
I would by a bale of haylege for £30 and put 2 sleeves out a day for all of them and deduct £15 from the livery bill or discuss with YO if this would help her to do this. I know you dont want to feed others, but i couldnt walk away knowing their tummies were empty.
 
putasocinit said:
I would by a bale of haylege for £30 and put 2 sleeves out a day for all of them and deduct £15 from the livery bill or discuss with YO if this would help her to do this. I know you dont want to feed others, but i couldnt walk away knowing their tummies were empty.
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I'm sorry but you cannot help every horse and while I don't like to see horses starving, there are relevant Authorities to contact should the need arrise. OP has lost hr job so can barely afford to feed her own horse never mind several others. The owners that are neglecting their horses need to be educated binto looking after them properly. Unfortunately some only learn by their mistakes.
 
My post says I WOULD not you must, it is very hard but seems these people need some help and educating and you could be the one to do that, they were good enough to help you out as well dont forget, anyways it was just an idea. You win some you lose some
 
I do totally feel for these horses going hungary but the fact of the matter is that I just cannot afford to keep putting hay out for them. It is the YO's responsibility and whilst I agree that they possibly do need some educating and they maybe 'think' that what they are doing is OK they are not the kind of people to appreciate any advice or educating and may turn slightly nasty should I try to do so, that is my feeling anyway. I have been told a few things by YO since moving onto yard that has made me think she isnt as sweet natured as she initially led me to believe, I feel I am treading a very thin line. The fact is also that if they truly thought that giving them hay in the field was going to make them fat or wasnt the right thing to do surely they would have told me to stop because their horses are also eating it. But instead when I have told them every night that I have had to put hay out for their horses too they have just said 'oh thanks for doing that' I fear I am being used because they dont want to put their hands in their own pockets and they know theres no way I would let my horse go hungary. So far they owe me about £15 because I've had to buy small bales at £5 a bale :(
 
Do the horses belong to the YO. If they do you must be diplomatic. If you do bring your horse in try him with some short feed as this might just take the edge off when he is separated. if not can you feed him outside the field so he is near the other horses. I know how you feel, though, seeing hungry horses
 
It is so hard I know how your feeling as a girl here has a lovely (is slightly underweight) 16.2hh she comes in overnight and owner is pleased that a small bale of hay lasts her a week... my 12hh pony gets more than she does. I have said about giving him more but she said she doesn't need it also I have mentioned putting hay out when the grass goes a bit but again has said she wont do as she is getting enough, so I have arranged with yo to have mine sectioned off on their own so I can feed them in field, I cant understand some people how they can scrimp on some things like hay and feed but but all the gadgets going.
 
Sunbeamstarshine said:
I do totally feel for these horses going hungary but the fact of the matter is that I just cannot afford to keep putting hay out for them. It is the YO's responsibility and whilst I agree that they possibly do need some educating and they maybe 'think' that what they are doing is OK they are not the kind of people to appreciate any advice or educating and may turn slightly nasty should I try to do so, that is my feeling anyway. I have been told a few things by YO since moving onto yard that has made me think she isnt as sweet natured as she initially led me to believe, I feel I am treading a very thin line. The fact is also that if they truly thought that giving them hay in the field was going to make them fat or wasnt the right thing to do surely they would have told me to stop because their horses are also eating it. But instead when I have told them every night that I have had to put hay out for their horses too they have just said 'oh thanks for doing that' I fear I am being used because they dont want to put their hands in their own pockets and they know theres no way I would let my horse go hungary. So far they owe me about £15 because I've had to buy small bales at £5 a bale :(
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Why don't you say to them 'hey! the hay I've been putting in the field this week has come to £15... why don't we all chip in together to make it cheaper for us all?' Maybe suggest getting big round bales delivered which will work out cheaper still?
 
You need to chat with everyone about this and clear the air.

If your are feeding hay in the field (horses out 24/7 ?) then why not put a big bale out and split the costs between everyone, eg:

1 round = say 20 pounds, between 4 horses, that's 5 pounds per horse.

Or move.
 
I totally agree that the way forward would be to put hay out and split the cost. Unfortunately they feel there is no need to put hay out, that is the problem. They think the grazing is still good when its just awful, to the point where I found her horse the TB eating leaves when I went down this evening! Again had to put more hay out to tempt them away from them. As I went to do so my poor horse tried to come to me for a fuss and the TB shot his neck out biting him because he thought he was trying to get to the hay :( I think moving is the only option now before my horse gets hurt.
 
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