Feeding field kept horses enough?

[dinahl]

I've only ever loaned horses before off owners who have a lot of time and their field kept horses get fed twice a day in Autumn/Winter, in the morning and the evening. I'm buying my own horse later this year but due to school commitments I'll only be able to go down to the yard after the school day and I only have the money for field livery. Does anyone know how I could ensure that my horse will get fed enough without having to go down in the morning? I know I could easily put the hay in the field overnight and that would be a possibility if I can get my own field, but if I can't and there's other horses I couldn't do that. Concentrated feed wouldn't be a problem, the hay would be the issue. So does anyone have any tips or help?

 

[SpringArising]

Does anyone know how I could ensure that my horse will get fed enough without having to go down in the morning? I know I could easily put the hay in the field overnight and that would be a possibility if I can get my own field, but if I can't and there's other horses I couldn't do that.

If your horse is going to be kept on its own then you can just buy a big round bale and leave it out. If there are other horses in the field, you can do the same and split the cost with each owner - it would work out pretty cheap doing it like that.

Unless there's some sort of medical issue you need to make sure that the horse is munching forage for most of the time it's out, so make sure there is either plenty of grass or that you will be able to put out enough hay to last.

 

[dinahl]

Thank you. I hope I will be able to get a field on my own to prevent issues with other horses but if not I'll have to negotiate something with the other owners

 

[ihatework]

I'd probably spend the time between now and buying a horse researching local yards. You really should have eyes run over the horse twice a day and unless you manage to find exceedingly good grazing then hay will be essential through the worst of the winter (more essential than bucket feed).

In your shoes I'd try finding somewhere with group turnout whereby the farmer/YO puts out big bale hay/haylage.

That way liveries tend to look out for each other and if there is a problem someone should notice.

 

[dinahl]

I'd probably spend the time between now and buying a horse researching local yards. You really should have eyes run over the horse twice a day and unless you manage to find exceedingly good grazing then hay will be essential through the worst of the winter (more essential than bucket feed).

In your shoes I'd try finding somewhere with group turnout whereby the farmer/YO puts out big bale hay/haylage.

That way liveries tend to look out for each other and if there is a problem someone should notice.

I'll be viewing yards in the Summer to check the prices but I live in an area where the most local yards are 15-30 minutes on the bus so I wouldn't be able to check them in the morning myself, but I could ask someone else to. Thank you, I'll definitely ask the yard owner if they use big bales in Winter and when there's less grazing.