Mounted search and rescue

["Paul" <pfleming@nwlink.com>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Una Smith" <una.smith@att.net>
To: "Mounted search and rescue" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2006 8:49 AM
Subject: Re: [MSAR] Shelf life of pellet feed, etc.


> Among rec.equestrian old hands re pellets, consensus is that
> the pellet form isn't the main problem, as far as founder and
> colic are concerned:  content of the pellets is.  Read labels
> carefully.
>
> I have experimented with using a small amount of pellet senior
> feed in addition to grass/alfalfa hay.  The feed in question is
> designed to be a complete feed, with nutritional value similar
> to grass/ alfalfa hay.  If given this feed alone, the average
> horse in light work would need about 15 pounds per day.  I give
> just 1-2 pounds per day, simply to habituate the horse to it, so
> that on long rides I can feed it in larger quantity.   It comes
> in 50 pound bags;  I transfer the feed to a clean galvanized
> steel can with a snug lid.  Even in cold weather, I notice the
> odor of the feed starts to change to what I would call stale or
> even rancid, if I don't use it up within a month of opening the
> bag.
>
> If hay is not allowed, I offer pellet senior feed at the trailer.
> My mare dislikes "old" feed, so any supply kept in the trailer
> ready for a fast callout response needs to be changed out every
> month or so.  I also prefer to change out the water frequently,
> but I do store 20 gallons of water on the trailer rather than
> delay response to fill up with fresh water or arrive without 24hr
> worth of water.
>
> My mare gets a flake of her usual hay in a hanging net in the
> trailer.  She does not eat much while we are moving but during
> stops she will either eat heartily or sleep.  I think this is
> something most horses need to learn, and will learn if given
> enough opportunities.  Meaning, don't worry about it.  Go out
> and do your thing, and let them figure out that if hungry they
> should eat whenever they have the chance.  The same goes for
> horses' learning to drink water outside of their own stalls.
>
> Una Smith
> New Mexico
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