My Arabian Herd live out 24/7 no rugs and with slow feeders.
This is our newest slow feeder which has just been made up by Tim
So many people have asked how we make our slow feeders so thought with our new one we would show you all step by step how we make our slow feeders.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This page is all about keeping our horses as naturally as possible, even if we only have a small piece of land we can make it as natural as possible so that our horses can live and roam freely 24/7.
I feel that even if you only have a bit of land you can still give your horse a very natural lifestyle, you don`t have to have hundreds of acres to be able to do this. Even on a small plot you can give your herd/horse a paddock to roll and play in, a yard with hard standing, a stoney place to strengthen their hooves. and open shelters. We have also experimented with slow feeders this year, and have made our own, which are working really well. Our herd have no rugs, and no metal shoes on their feet, and are ridden bitless and barefoot.
Our Slow Feeders are working really well, and I never have to worry about them not being able to nibble 24/7, they are never hungry, are really laid back and contented, and we have noticed so far this winter they are eating less, even without rugs on.
The Slow Feeders are scattered around the yards, so they have to keep moving, which is what we want for their feet, movement is so important. The water is on the far yard so they have to move frequently for water and haylage, and as Toskin never stands still for long, he keeps the herd moving all the time.
We looked into Paddock Paradise, but decided to keep our system as it is because we know it works for our h
Well the slow feeders are out again for their second year. Our herd came out of the winter so well last year and in fabulous condition. And it was a really bad winter, lots of snow and freezing conditions. So again no rugs for our herd. We will never put rugs on them again.
Rugging my horses was always a big concern. To Rug or Not to Rug. Like most people we would put the rugs on when it was getting colder and wetter and coming into Winter. But then we would have some lovely warm sunny days and our horses were stuck in their rugs over-heating. Sadly we were at work and couldn`t get away to take the rugs off. Our horses were standing still all day over-heating, to us this was a terrible situation for our horses to endure. So this is why we have decided to go rugless with our herd. Let`s face it they are horses, they do grow lovely fluffy coats and do not need clothes like us humans. Sadly we do humanize our horses by wrapping them in their pyjama`s, donning their outdoor coats and tucking them up in a nice cozy stable every night. We have to learn to think like a horse and not like a human to give our horses the best possible life whilst they are in our care.
Now some Facts: Taken from `A lifetime of Soundness` by Dr. Hiltrud Stasser.
Environmental Temperature is constantly and usually gradually fluctuating. In order for a horse (or any other mammal) to survive, the internal body temperature must be kept within a very narrow range. If the temperature exceeds or falls below this limit the chemical biological reactions at cell level either cease to function, or function improperly or at unacceptable rates causing health problems or death.
Yet, no matter where the horse lives, whether in tropical or subarctic climates, it does not seek excessive shelter from the elements, does not cover itself with clothing, but rather is exposed to weather, wind, sun, storms, and fluctuating temperatures it`s entire life. Despite this,it is able to maintain its core body temperature reliably at 38 degrees celcius. The horse has an extremely efficient thermoregulatory system in the skin. The skin constitutes its connection to the environment through its sensory organs - giving information to the outside world while at the same time reflecting its internal condition.
Clipping, what a horrible thing to do to our horses, why would you do this to your horse? Humans clip their horses and then rug them up, to me this is bonkers and human thinking again. I have seen horses clipped and then taken out in cold freezing condtions, how can the thermoregulatory system work when people are messing about with nature. I have asked people why they clip and the usual answer is because in the winter their coats are too thick and when they do exercise they over heat. Don`t horses run in the wilds and over heat? How do they manage? The natural horse will find a windy place and turn it`s hairs into various directions to get the body temperature back to it`s natural 38 degrees. Isn`t nature amazing when humans don`t interfere. I watch our herd and this is what they do.
 |  |
Slow Feeders
   | This is the first year we have used slow feeders, and can`t praise them up enough. Firstly I bought a slow feeder net, which is large enough to put 1 bale of hay into it. I opted for the smaller net size, but even that is tooooo large, I found my gang were eating it too quickly. The slow feeder net was more like a large haylage net, not what I would call a slow feeder. The actual net itself is so flimsy, my Arabs would eat through it and we had to keep tying the holes up with baler twine!! So we decided to make our own Slow feeders, and here you can see them in working mode. They work well with haylage and hay. This is also the first year we have left the rugs off our Arabs, and they are in superb condition, never cold and always have plenty of food 24/7. We top them up maybe once a day. I can also honestly say that my Arabs are content, chilled out and so calm. They never have empty tummies!! When we go to see them and give them their buckets in the morning, they still have plenty in the slow feeders. We all want the best for our horses and like me you are always learning and evolving with your horses. They always tell me what is right and what is wrong, it is up to me to listen to them and learn. Even though my Arabs are not totally wild and free I do strive to give them the most natural lifestyle possible. I am getting there, but still have a long way to go!! |
