Cultural Differences...and a little poll

mascara or eyeliner

  • Total voters
    0
we feed Alfa A so yes I feed 'chaff' but Alfa A is an excellent source of protein and if we didnt add it to their feeds it would make feeding the mares in the fields rather dangerous as they would eat their stud mix so quickly you'd be rushed to feed the mares at the bottom of the pecking order before the first mares had finsihed theirs.

Also I do occasionally sit on a baby at 2 1/2, and normally start backing them properly at 3 1/2, but it depends on the horse as an individual in terms of maturity, temperament etc. Some might be backed at 3 1/2 but have a very steady easy year at 4, and not really start competing till 5. Some will be ready to compete in the Spring of their 4yo year.
 
Chaff- used to don't anymore, my guys get a balancer with everything they need in it and good hay and grazing. So imo they don't need any.
Backing- In some cases yes I would back at 2-3. We had a massive 17hher at 2 in for 'training'. Who was bolshy and thuggish and knew he was big. Us average size girls didn't have a hope in hell of holding him if he thought he was going. So he was broken in. He was happy to wander down the road with another horse, and seen then has never barged or tried to run off while being led, he now respects people, because I think, people are now bigger then him because they can get on his back.
Bits- I like to think I know a bit about bits. I wouldn't look at a bit and go my god that is terrible, with out finding out how it works and why it is used.
 
over weight and over rugged horses are my greatest bug bears...

nothing is rugged ...i even have one who is blacket clipped and out 24/7
 
This AM we were down to minus 2 so yes, this evening my boys will be rugged (light weight). My oldest is 34 and is an Irish TB and the youngest who is an oldenburg is 20 so fluffy rugs rule! As for the 'chaff', doesnt exist here and weve all managed without so far, so.......!Joking apart, here in sunny Italy, you feed hay twice a day and shovel the hard feed in as though its a pate goose.When its crippled, you call the vet who has his one way tickets to Ireland already in his pocket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
frown.gif
My lovely vet is off to Southern Ireland! I pray that the weather makes him ill and he comes back to me and my neds
crazy.gif
! M:
 
Good reply HH.

Yes another cultural difference is that because all of our hay has at least 25% alfalfa in it, I forget that you guys don't have this therefore feeding a chaff with alfalfa in it, is often the only way to get this legume into their system. We feed ad-lib hay all year round, and horses live out 24/7/365, so fibre is not an issue here at my farm.
 
My mare is on Alfa-a oil - not because she needs 'chaff' but because it provides what she needs energy and condition wise, I wouldnt feed a chopped straw/hay chaff - wast of money in MHO
She cannot have cereals so her 'energy' and proteins need to come from somewhere. Plus its a more natural diet and better for her digestion.

Backing horses is something that I think should be taylored around the individual horse, some can be started at 2 1/2, some need another year to grow, build up and mature. no point in waiting if they are ready, no point in boiling a youngsters brain simply to say its 'backed' at 3 1/2.
I think 'something' can be done with all 2 yr olds but how much as to be fitted to the horse in question.

Bits, plenty of room for education and understanding should be attached to bits - i have seen very 'kind' bits abused and leaving horses with bruised mouths etc - and yet some horrific combinations create a lovely light contact with no pressure.
 
Tia and Weezy?

I had a discussion recently with someone who is very pro putting 2 year olds in foal so they foal down at three.

Is that something that you have come across in Cananda or Spain?

I really don't think you can knock anything until you know all the facts. I think we do lots of wierd things over here and I have only ever lived here. lol
laugh.gif
 
No this is not common practice over here where I live. Lots of horses are backed at 2 years old and then at 3 are put into foal and once they have foaled at 4 years old, they are ready to go on into their proper ridden career.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top