Jangchub wrote in
:

On Mon, 25 Dec 2006 22:42:09 +0000 (UTC), FragileWarriorElf
wrote:

I know they just don't need the rich diet but I can't even remember
why, exactly, anymore. (Studied up before I got him and then just
stuck to the plan. I think it's pretty hard to founder them,
though. He once ate his way through a half a garbage can of oiled
oats with no problem at all. I have given him a flake or two of
alfalfa for a treat now and then, but I'm really glad I don't have to
buy him bales of the stuff. It's great to get in a 1/2 ton round
grass hay bale and just let him eat and eat and eat. Great cost
savings and he thinks they're SUCH fun.

Just curious, doesn't the 1/2 ton round start to decompose in the
center? How long does it take you kids to eat that bale?

No, the mold is usually on the outside of the bale (if you don't get
bails that were stored inside) and the horses start eating from the
center. They're pretty smart, all in all, and will avoid anything moldy
unless, I suppose, they're starving and there is absolutely nothing else
for them to eat.

Once the bail gets so hollowed out it collapses, I torch it and get them
a new bail.



For gardening sake, it's not bad to make compost with horse manure and
coastal bermuda, but the seeds stay in the compost, even after it's
fully finished. So, just something to think about.


Coastal bermuda isn't something we have 'round here AFAIK.