6 Days left:
Aloha Everyone
Dr. Heuschmann, veterinarian and author of "If Horses could speak" would like 20,000 signatures when he goes to the FEI round table discussion in Lausanne Switzerland on Feb 9th.to discuss roll kur. He has 2,174. - Now 7,330 as of 2/8/10.
http://www.wu-wei-verlag.com/neu/ua.php
Good video explaining the damaging results of Roll Kur
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhljcsuudd4&feature=player_embedded#
The FEI recently ruled they did not have enough evidence against Patrick Kittel as he rode his horse in Roll Kur in a World Cup warm up. I could barely watch a minute of this. You tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hIXGiV4N4k&feature=related
We need to stop this. Now is a good opportunity
2/19 UPDATE: Over 41,000 signatures were turned into the FEI ! The riders have spoken in behalf of the Horse. The FEI ruled they will no longer allow hyperflexion by force.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Horse related web sites
www.noworriesclub.com $19.95/month - Over 200 video's from Clinton Anderson showing
you a proven method of ground training and under
saddle training
www.eurodressage.com - Lets you know what is happening in Europe in
dressage
www.dressagedaily.com - USA dressage happenings
www.ultimatedressage.com - Forum for questions on dressage, vet, trailering...
www.hsdsmaui.org - Maui Dressage club web site. Calendar of events.
www.dressagenewsnetwork.com - New live streaming Dressage news.
www.fei.org
www.usdf.org
www.usef.org
www.dressageclinic.com $24.95-$34.95/mo Dressage Trainers via video feed.
you a proven method of ground training and under
saddle training
www.eurodressage.com - Lets you know what is happening in Europe in
dressage
www.dressagedaily.com - USA dressage happenings
www.ultimatedressage.com - Forum for questions on dressage, vet, trailering...
www.hsdsmaui.org - Maui Dressage club web site. Calendar of events.
www.dressagenewsnetwork.com - New live streaming Dressage news.
www.fei.org
www.usdf.org
www.usef.org
www.dressageclinic.com $24.95-$34.95/mo Dressage Trainers via video feed.
Clean changes and Piaffe
Woo Hooo!!! A friend recommended a book "Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage" by Phillippe Karl. In reading this very well presented and informative book I noticed he was describing my horse. Kalae is hollow to the right. Her right hind escapes to the inside when cantering right. She is stiffer to the left. I struggle to counter canter and now she changes late behind. I have been stuck for 2-3 years without advancing beyond 3rd level. I applied Phillippe Karl's recommendations and immediately I could counter canter on a 10 meter circle. My horse was no longer changing on her own but waiting for me. I have been working on his exercise for changes and have gotten clean changes which are jumping from behind. I have also been working on his exercise for Piaffe. A few days ago while on the trail she got very excited when the dogs started bounding out of the reservoir and running toward us. Perfect. I put my legs back and we had a Piaffe. I patted her and tried again. I got 10 Piaffe's on request. Yesterday when the neighbors dog scared her we got it again. She has gotten the concept down. Coupled with a good canter pirouette I can now imagine perhaps actually wearing my shadbelly coat soon. I down loaded the FEI 2009 Prix Saint George test from www.fei.org and have been memorizing it. :)
Horse Health - Vital Signs
This weekend Linda's beautiful draft mare had colic. Colic is a horseman's nightmare. Linda said it is a miracle her horse survived. How do you recognise the symptoms? Many times it is just noticing subtle symptoms.
- your horse is not eating
- your horse ate but is not nibbling up the remainder of the hay
- your horse is laying down and wont get up
- your horse is reluctant to work under saddle
- your horse is standing but stretching out - parked out stance
- your horse is turning his head and looking at his side
- your horse is pawing
Now what? Is my horse in distress?
1) NORMAL HEART RATE =36-42 BEATS PER MINUTE. At rest, slide your index and middle fingers along the inside edge of the cheek usually the front 1/3 you will find a large pencil size vein which you can feel the heart rate. Look at your watch for 15 seconds while you count how many beats there are in 15 sec. Then multiply by 4. Or for a fidgety horse: count the number of beats in 6 sec and multiply by 10 for an approximation. If it is elevated it is a good sign the horse is in distress. If the Vet. administers pain relief and the HR does not go back down below 80 BPM it is a sign surgery is possibly needed. Prolonged HR 80-110 is difficult to sustain.
2) NORMAL RESPIRATION RATE =8-12 breaths/minute.
Count the number of times you feel the horses breath on your arm. Or count the number of times the nostrils flare out in 15 sec and multiply by 4.
3) Gut sounds: Hearing gut sounds is normal. No gut sounds is not a good sign when combined with other symptoms. You can simply up your ear up on your horses side just in front of his hip. Listen to both sides. Listen now to see what normal sounds are. Sometimes they can have a lot of gut sounds which is too much gas = "Gas colic"
4) Temperature: Normal is 99-101 degrees F : Lift up the tail and insert the thermometer into the rectum. Tie dental floss on the end before you insert it or, keep you fingers holding it to avoid having it fall out or go too far in. Never force it in to avoid damaging the mucosa.
5) Check for Digital pulses: Normally when you run your fingers around the inside and outside of the back of the fetlock you should not feel a beating pulse. Check you horse now because some horses have a digital pulse. Most do not. If you feel a digital pulse on a horse that normally does not have one may be a significant symptom. Especially after a bout of colic you would want to monitor this as it might indicate founder.
6) Capillary refill less than 2 seconds. Check their gums. Just above the top teeth on the side, press your thumb and take it away. Count the times it takes to get pink again. This is capillary refill time. If they are in distress it will take longer than 2 seconds to refill. Or if the gums are blue you are in trouble
7) Sweating: Often they will sweat in an unusual area, or be sweating but have not done any work.
This last weekend Linda's mares vital signs were: Heart rate 96, Respiratory rate 36. Temp 103,
stretching, laying down, looking at her side. No gut sounds. No digital pulse, light sweating above her eye, behind the ear and by her flank.
Just yesterday I noticed my mare not finishing her hay. She was standing alone under the tree. This is not normal. I pulled her out. Her HR was 48, Resp rate 20. Slight gut sounds on both sides, reluctance to walk forward. I put her in the round pen and made her walk for 20 minutes.
After 10 minutes she started trotting on her own. I put her back in her pen and she was looking for hay wisps to snorkel down. She was fine the remainder of the day. A tummy ache which was perhaps some gas. Stimulating the guts by moving her around probably helped prevent a more
sever incident.
A month later 2/23 one of my geldings was not eating his lunch. Pawing looking to lay down, Resp Rate like he was galloping at 88/min. HR 56. No gut sounds. I started walking him. Called the Vet and by the time he arrived an hour after I found him he was better. My Vet said, That is great, thank your lucky stars because it can go the other way. He got some Banamine.
Interesting as I have not had a colic episode in years and now 2 in a months time.
These vital signs are valuable information to give your veterinarian. Don't delay in calling your vet.
- your horse is not eating
- your horse ate but is not nibbling up the remainder of the hay
- your horse is laying down and wont get up
- your horse is reluctant to work under saddle
- your horse is standing but stretching out - parked out stance
- your horse is turning his head and looking at his side
- your horse is pawing
Now what? Is my horse in distress?
1) NORMAL HEART RATE =36-42 BEATS PER MINUTE. At rest, slide your index and middle fingers along the inside edge of the cheek usually the front 1/3 you will find a large pencil size vein which you can feel the heart rate. Look at your watch for 15 seconds while you count how many beats there are in 15 sec. Then multiply by 4. Or for a fidgety horse: count the number of beats in 6 sec and multiply by 10 for an approximation. If it is elevated it is a good sign the horse is in distress. If the Vet. administers pain relief and the HR does not go back down below 80 BPM it is a sign surgery is possibly needed. Prolonged HR 80-110 is difficult to sustain.
2) NORMAL RESPIRATION RATE =8-12 breaths/minute.
Count the number of times you feel the horses breath on your arm. Or count the number of times the nostrils flare out in 15 sec and multiply by 4.
3) Gut sounds: Hearing gut sounds is normal. No gut sounds is not a good sign when combined with other symptoms. You can simply up your ear up on your horses side just in front of his hip. Listen to both sides. Listen now to see what normal sounds are. Sometimes they can have a lot of gut sounds which is too much gas = "Gas colic"
4) Temperature: Normal is 99-101 degrees F : Lift up the tail and insert the thermometer into the rectum. Tie dental floss on the end before you insert it or, keep you fingers holding it to avoid having it fall out or go too far in. Never force it in to avoid damaging the mucosa.
5) Check for Digital pulses: Normally when you run your fingers around the inside and outside of the back of the fetlock you should not feel a beating pulse. Check you horse now because some horses have a digital pulse. Most do not. If you feel a digital pulse on a horse that normally does not have one may be a significant symptom. Especially after a bout of colic you would want to monitor this as it might indicate founder.
6) Capillary refill less than 2 seconds. Check their gums. Just above the top teeth on the side, press your thumb and take it away. Count the times it takes to get pink again. This is capillary refill time. If they are in distress it will take longer than 2 seconds to refill. Or if the gums are blue you are in trouble
7) Sweating: Often they will sweat in an unusual area, or be sweating but have not done any work.
This last weekend Linda's mares vital signs were: Heart rate 96, Respiratory rate 36. Temp 103,
stretching, laying down, looking at her side. No gut sounds. No digital pulse, light sweating above her eye, behind the ear and by her flank.
Just yesterday I noticed my mare not finishing her hay. She was standing alone under the tree. This is not normal. I pulled her out. Her HR was 48, Resp rate 20. Slight gut sounds on both sides, reluctance to walk forward. I put her in the round pen and made her walk for 20 minutes.
After 10 minutes she started trotting on her own. I put her back in her pen and she was looking for hay wisps to snorkel down. She was fine the remainder of the day. A tummy ache which was perhaps some gas. Stimulating the guts by moving her around probably helped prevent a more
sever incident.
A month later 2/23 one of my geldings was not eating his lunch. Pawing looking to lay down, Resp Rate like he was galloping at 88/min. HR 56. No gut sounds. I started walking him. Called the Vet and by the time he arrived an hour after I found him he was better. My Vet said, That is great, thank your lucky stars because it can go the other way. He got some Banamine.
Interesting as I have not had a colic episode in years and now 2 in a months time.
These vital signs are valuable information to give your veterinarian. Don't delay in calling your vet.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Amazing change to a super barefoot
Wondermann's hind feet with the amazing transformation in just one trim. The bottom photo is of his front feet which were very contracted. There was no space between the center sulcus of the frog. Now it has spread apart by a good 1/2 inch. His hind feet have responded so well it is nearly a perfect foot.
Alfalfa Field - Planting & one month later
Aunt Terry, Uncle Ronald, Dad and Mom all working to "sow the seeds". 1/8 acre Alfalfa test plot.Red Mylar flash tape works great keeping the birds away. A month later the alfalfa is 6 inches tall. We had over watered the field for 3 weeks. 4X a day for 30 minutes each time. Now we have cut back to once a day for 30 minutes. It helps that it is winter: cooler with the occasional rain shower. We have started weeding the field but only from the side as the plants are still too fragile to withstand walking on them.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Alfalfa Field Planted - Informational entry
Alfalfa, queen of forage crops, is the nation's most important forage. Most authorities believe that alfalfa, which means "Best Fodder" in Arabic, originated in southwestern Asia. Alfalfa was brought to the New World by 16th Century Spaniards and introduced to the United States by missionaries from Mexico
Dad has worked tirelessly preparing the field for the last 10 months. He and his small Kubota rototilled it numerous times turning under the weeds. We decided not to plant this summer and wait for the first rains of the winter. The ground was nicley moisturized after a week of rain. With the help of Uncle Ronald and Aunt Terry, Mom and Dad we spread the seed. AmeriLeaf 721 a hybrid for the warmer climates.
Within 24 hours you could see a small 1/8 inch stem appearing. In 48 hours the leaves were evident. The field has a green sheen to it. We also planted corn and an assortment of vegetables along the edge of the field. Uncle Ronald used his engineering skills and came up with 1/8 acre.
"AmeriLeaf 721: Big leaves, big yields
Up to 20% more leaf mass than conventional varieties like Pioneer brand 5683
Resists all root rots and wilts common to western alfalfa production
Unique resistance to Western Crown Rot complex
Combined Aphid and Nematode resistance ensures long stand productivity
Excellent eye appeal and dark green color make this variety a great choice for dairy quality hay production
First non-dormant with advanced seedling resistance for extra disease protection during stand establishment
AmeriLeaf 721 is the revolutionary next step toward bigger, higher quality yields. The photo above, illustrates leaf size difference between AmeriLeaf 721 and conventional varieties. Amerileaf 721 has up to 40% larger leaves and 20% more leaf mass than conventional varieties. AmeriLeaf 721 is the new yield and quality champion.
AmeriLeaf 721 and several other America's Alfalfa varieties adapted for western cash hay production fight Western Crown Rot. This crown rot is caused by a complex of diseases including, Anthracnose, Phytophthora, Fusarium, Stagnospora and other pathogens. These pathogens work together to rob western hay stands of yield, quality and persistence. Only varieties from America's Alfalfa are selected to minimize the damaging effects of this complex. That is just one of the reasons our varieties start strong and yield long.
Plant at 25-30 pounds per acre. This seed is treated and coated with inoculum.
Pest Resistance Levels:phy-tophthora,Anthrac-nose,Vertic-illium Wilt,FusariumWilt, BacterialWilt, WesternCrown Rot, SouthernRoot KnotNematode, Stem Nematode
SpottedAlfalfaAphid, BlueAlfalfaAphid, PeaAphidDuring Establishment -
Have a soil test taken to determine lime and fertilizer needs for alfalfa establishment. Fields to be seeded to alfalfa should be limed to pH 6.5 to 7.0. Needed lime should be applied at least 6 months to a year before seeding to allow the lime time to react with the soil and minimize triazine herbicide carryover. For maximum production, seed only in soils that are already at a pH of 6.2. Generally, for soils below this pH, lime should be applied but seeding delayed. Starter fertilizer applications of up to 20-60-20 per acre are desirable at seeding time.
Established Stands - High levels of phosphorus and potassium must be maintained in the soil for high crop yields and long-lived alfalfa stands. Determine lime and fertilizer needs by soil test. High alfalfa yields can reduce plant nutrient levels in soil rapidly. Thus, for top production and stand persistence, annual soil testing is recommended.
When a soil test indicates the need for fertilizer, topdress after first and/or last cutting. Split applications, one-half in fall and one-half after first cutting, may result in more efficient use of fertilizer, especially potash. Recent research suggests that, based on nutrient removal, a 0-1-4 ratio of N-P2O5-K20 is best when high yields are anticipated. If the soil test is 1 part per million (ppm) or less of boron (B), or plant tissue has 25 ppm or less B, then topdress with a fertilizer containing at least 2 pounds of B per acre.
At present, there is no evidence to indicate a general need for other fertilizer nutrients. Recent research does suggest that in certain isolated cases small responses from sulfur may be obtained
A minimum of five alfalfa plants per square foot should be present.
Management of forage insect pests is aimed primarily at the alfalfa weevil and the potato leafhopper in alfalfa.
Seeding Year - When alfalfa is spring seeded, the first cutting can be made 60 days after emergence if one cutting during the seeding year is allowed to reach early bloom before it is harvested.
Cutting pre- or early bud alfalfa is not recommended because there is a higher risk of losing the stand. Also, fiber levels may be undesirably low when cut extremely early. If an alfalfa stand has been weakened by winter stress, make the first cutting at the early- to midbloom stage.
Generally, summer cuttings are permitted to reach early bloom (approximately 35 days between cuttings). In Pennsylvania, the average cutting intervals between first and second cuts and second and third cuts, for producers who make four or more cuts per year, is 37 and 33 days, respectively. Stage of growth when alfalfa is harvested (Table 2) is the major factor in determining forage quality. Total Dry Matter (DM) yield increases at a constant rate from first growth until the half-bloom stage. Dry matter in the leaves increases until the early-bloom stage, with little increase thereafter. Allowing alfalfa to grow beyond the early-bloom stage (when new growth starts from the crown) decreases the leaf-to-stem ratio, resulting in low quality forage. A change in the ratio has a drastic effect upon the energy and protein content (B.R. Moss, MSU Animal and Range Sciences Department.Recent studies show that whole-plant digestibility decreases by 0.3 to 0.5 percent per day from early flowering to near maturity (Table 3). The crude protein decreases at similar rates in the stems and leaves, but the leaves contain a much higher protein content. This loss of energy and protein emphasizes the importance of early harvest and harvest methods that preserve the leaves.
Stage
%Digestibility:Pre-bud 66.8, Bud65.0,early bloom 63.1,Mid-bloom 61.3,Full-bloom 69.4
Late-bloom,57.5,Mature55.8
Alfalfa becomes more difficult for livestock to digest as it matures beyond the optimum (early-bloom) stage. The intake decreases as the digestibility decreases.
Research indicates that intake drops about 2 percent for each day that cutting is delayed after early bloom.
Recommends that growers leave a 2" stubble when cutting healthy, unstressed alfalfa in spring and summer. Adjust cutting height upward when the crop has been stressed by drought or flooding, or in fields that have been cut early and often.In his tests the past two seasons, total dry matter yield from three cuttings increased an average 1/2 ton/acre for each 1" reduction in cutting height. Lower cutting reduced relative feed value by about four points per inch. But potential milk yield per acre – a combined measure of forage yield and quality – increased by 900 lbs/acre for each 1" reduction in cutting height. Can cut to 1" height but there is a problem w/ rocks.
A good stand of alfalfa (36 or more plants per square yard) with proper fertility and pest control, can yield 5 to 7 tons per acre under irrigation.
The question is how much fresh cut hay to feed in comparison to Alfalfa Hay cubes.?
In a experiment w/ mice weighing 45 Gm they weighed the fresh alfalfa and found it was 3.9 X heavier than dry alfalfa. Fresh=39 Gm vs dry 9.8 Gm = 3.9 gm fresh to 1 gm dry wt.
I feed 5lb dry alfalfa cubes and would need 19.5 lb fresh cut alfalfa to be comprable.
19.5 lb X 8 horses = 156 LB/day to replace 40Lb dry cubes/day.
http://www.tqhp.com/ interesting new way of processing, drying and baleing hay making it feasible to grow hay in Hawaii. The recommended distance of the fields from the processing plant is 30 miles or less. The hay is cut in the field, processed and baled in 4 hours.
Dad has worked tirelessly preparing the field for the last 10 months. He and his small Kubota rototilled it numerous times turning under the weeds. We decided not to plant this summer and wait for the first rains of the winter. The ground was nicley moisturized after a week of rain. With the help of Uncle Ronald and Aunt Terry, Mom and Dad we spread the seed. AmeriLeaf 721 a hybrid for the warmer climates.
Within 24 hours you could see a small 1/8 inch stem appearing. In 48 hours the leaves were evident. The field has a green sheen to it. We also planted corn and an assortment of vegetables along the edge of the field. Uncle Ronald used his engineering skills and came up with 1/8 acre.
"AmeriLeaf 721: Big leaves, big yields
Up to 20% more leaf mass than conventional varieties like Pioneer brand 5683
Resists all root rots and wilts common to western alfalfa production
Unique resistance to Western Crown Rot complex
Combined Aphid and Nematode resistance ensures long stand productivity
Excellent eye appeal and dark green color make this variety a great choice for dairy quality hay production
First non-dormant with advanced seedling resistance for extra disease protection during stand establishment
AmeriLeaf 721 is the revolutionary next step toward bigger, higher quality yields. The photo above, illustrates leaf size difference between AmeriLeaf 721 and conventional varieties. Amerileaf 721 has up to 40% larger leaves and 20% more leaf mass than conventional varieties. AmeriLeaf 721 is the new yield and quality champion.
AmeriLeaf 721 and several other America's Alfalfa varieties adapted for western cash hay production fight Western Crown Rot. This crown rot is caused by a complex of diseases including, Anthracnose, Phytophthora, Fusarium, Stagnospora and other pathogens. These pathogens work together to rob western hay stands of yield, quality and persistence. Only varieties from America's Alfalfa are selected to minimize the damaging effects of this complex. That is just one of the reasons our varieties start strong and yield long.
Plant at 25-30 pounds per acre. This seed is treated and coated with inoculum.
Pest Resistance Levels:phy-tophthora,Anthrac-nose,Vertic-illium Wilt,FusariumWilt, BacterialWilt, WesternCrown Rot, SouthernRoot KnotNematode, Stem Nematode
SpottedAlfalfaAphid, BlueAlfalfaAphid, PeaAphidDuring Establishment -
Have a soil test taken to determine lime and fertilizer needs for alfalfa establishment. Fields to be seeded to alfalfa should be limed to pH 6.5 to 7.0. Needed lime should be applied at least 6 months to a year before seeding to allow the lime time to react with the soil and minimize triazine herbicide carryover. For maximum production, seed only in soils that are already at a pH of 6.2. Generally, for soils below this pH, lime should be applied but seeding delayed. Starter fertilizer applications of up to 20-60-20 per acre are desirable at seeding time.
Established Stands - High levels of phosphorus and potassium must be maintained in the soil for high crop yields and long-lived alfalfa stands. Determine lime and fertilizer needs by soil test. High alfalfa yields can reduce plant nutrient levels in soil rapidly. Thus, for top production and stand persistence, annual soil testing is recommended.
When a soil test indicates the need for fertilizer, topdress after first and/or last cutting. Split applications, one-half in fall and one-half after first cutting, may result in more efficient use of fertilizer, especially potash. Recent research suggests that, based on nutrient removal, a 0-1-4 ratio of N-P2O5-K20 is best when high yields are anticipated. If the soil test is 1 part per million (ppm) or less of boron (B), or plant tissue has 25 ppm or less B, then topdress with a fertilizer containing at least 2 pounds of B per acre.
At present, there is no evidence to indicate a general need for other fertilizer nutrients. Recent research does suggest that in certain isolated cases small responses from sulfur may be obtained
A minimum of five alfalfa plants per square foot should be present.
Management of forage insect pests is aimed primarily at the alfalfa weevil and the potato leafhopper in alfalfa.
Seeding Year - When alfalfa is spring seeded, the first cutting can be made 60 days after emergence if one cutting during the seeding year is allowed to reach early bloom before it is harvested.
Cutting pre- or early bud alfalfa is not recommended because there is a higher risk of losing the stand. Also, fiber levels may be undesirably low when cut extremely early. If an alfalfa stand has been weakened by winter stress, make the first cutting at the early- to midbloom stage.
Generally, summer cuttings are permitted to reach early bloom (approximately 35 days between cuttings). In Pennsylvania, the average cutting intervals between first and second cuts and second and third cuts, for producers who make four or more cuts per year, is 37 and 33 days, respectively. Stage of growth when alfalfa is harvested (Table 2) is the major factor in determining forage quality. Total Dry Matter (DM) yield increases at a constant rate from first growth until the half-bloom stage. Dry matter in the leaves increases until the early-bloom stage, with little increase thereafter. Allowing alfalfa to grow beyond the early-bloom stage (when new growth starts from the crown) decreases the leaf-to-stem ratio, resulting in low quality forage. A change in the ratio has a drastic effect upon the energy and protein content (B.R. Moss, MSU Animal and Range Sciences Department.Recent studies show that whole-plant digestibility decreases by 0.3 to 0.5 percent per day from early flowering to near maturity (Table 3). The crude protein decreases at similar rates in the stems and leaves, but the leaves contain a much higher protein content. This loss of energy and protein emphasizes the importance of early harvest and harvest methods that preserve the leaves.
Stage
%Digestibility:Pre-bud 66.8, Bud65.0,early bloom 63.1,Mid-bloom 61.3,Full-bloom 69.4
Late-bloom,57.5,Mature55.8
Alfalfa becomes more difficult for livestock to digest as it matures beyond the optimum (early-bloom) stage. The intake decreases as the digestibility decreases.
Research indicates that intake drops about 2 percent for each day that cutting is delayed after early bloom.
Recommends that growers leave a 2" stubble when cutting healthy, unstressed alfalfa in spring and summer. Adjust cutting height upward when the crop has been stressed by drought or flooding, or in fields that have been cut early and often.In his tests the past two seasons, total dry matter yield from three cuttings increased an average 1/2 ton/acre for each 1" reduction in cutting height. Lower cutting reduced relative feed value by about four points per inch. But potential milk yield per acre – a combined measure of forage yield and quality – increased by 900 lbs/acre for each 1" reduction in cutting height. Can cut to 1" height but there is a problem w/ rocks.
A good stand of alfalfa (36 or more plants per square yard) with proper fertility and pest control, can yield 5 to 7 tons per acre under irrigation.
The question is how much fresh cut hay to feed in comparison to Alfalfa Hay cubes.?
In a experiment w/ mice weighing 45 Gm they weighed the fresh alfalfa and found it was 3.9 X heavier than dry alfalfa. Fresh=39 Gm vs dry 9.8 Gm = 3.9 gm fresh to 1 gm dry wt.
I feed 5lb dry alfalfa cubes and would need 19.5 lb fresh cut alfalfa to be comprable.
19.5 lb X 8 horses = 156 LB/day to replace 40Lb dry cubes/day.
http://www.tqhp.com/ interesting new way of processing, drying and baleing hay making it feasible to grow hay in Hawaii. The recommended distance of the fields from the processing plant is 30 miles or less. The hay is cut in the field, processed and baled in 4 hours.
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