Daily Routine for Working Horses?

[Rivendell Farm]

Jeremy,
I’ll be interested to hear the responses on the question about putting the horses out on pasture after a day’s work instead of feeding hay. A lot of the Amish around here don’t like to let their horses out on the spring grass until after the heavy work like plowing and discing is finished. I’ve always put them on pasture instead of feeding hay, after all it is much more nutritious than hay, and I’ve never had a problem. They do become a little “loose” on the grass, compared to hay. Maybe keeping them in is just more convenient during the busy spring season. Good question. Bob

[near horse]

If my horses are out on pasture, they won’t give hay much of a look at all.

It’s my understanding that the new growth of spring grass is highly digestible (really not mature enough to have much real fiber/coarseness to it) and overconsumption by hungry/greedy horses can lead to founder. We, like I imagine most of you, turn out the first few times after the horses have tanked up on some hay. For the Amish, waiting to turn out could be related to a number of factors in how they’re managing their farming system.

[Ronnie Tucker]

i mostly work mules. it is real simple all the corn and hay they want.i feed this way year round.if they dont eat enough it is their fault. very seldom do i turn them out on grass. ronnie tucker tn logger

[Rod44]

I enjoyed all the posts

[Author]

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