He looks great. Im excited to start billy on it.
Triple Crown Safe Starch Forage
- Thread starter Abby P
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Pooh. I called today to enquire about my timothy cube order. Glad I did because it was NOT ordered. The guy I talked to this time said it would be in on Saturday.
chandab
Well-Known Member
So annoying when they do that, not just that store, but in general; we've had it happen at various places for special orders.
That's frustrating!
Picked up the cubes yesterday. Last night I gave him half cube and half hay, to help him transition. He gobbled the cubes right up, so it won't be a probably changing him to them.
chandab
Well-Known Member
They are new and a fun "treat", so likely very enjoyable right now. Might work to just go with a 50:50 mix, lower his carb intake some, but keep some long stem hay in the mix that takes longer to eat.
Not sure if you need an idea, but I space out 3 - 4 flat feeding pans and dole out the cubes in each one, even if it is just one or two. The ‘grazing’ does slow down my muncher and he will go back and forth just double checking, so gets in a few steps.
Something I should do with a pan of brownies.
Something I should do with a pan of brownies.
I did that this morning and this evening. Thanks for the tip.Not sure if you need an idea, but I space out 3 - 4 flat feeding pans and dole out the cubes in each one, even if it is just one or two. The ‘grazing’ does slow down my muncher and he will go back and forth just double checking, so gets in a few steps.
Something I should do with a pan of brownies.
You’re welcome! I hope it slows him down a little! Mine actually moves fairly slowly around the paddock searching, as I move the pans around a bit each day. It’s a bit of a game and he always wins. 
chandab
Well-Known Member
If you are feeding them dry, you could also try a treat ball to provide entertainment and slow down the consumption.
When I had the Timothy Balance cubes, I did put ones I could break apart by hand into my stallion's treat ball (which is in a water tub, so he's not eating off the ground, if you have a harder surface than I do, so less chance of ingesting dirt with the cubes, on the ground is probably fine), and the ball slowed down his consumption.
I have an older (more expensive) treat ball, but this is what I am talking about: https://www.chewy.com/shires-equestrian-products-ball-horse/dp/265673 The Timothy Balance cubes are a bit smaller than standard hay cubes, and typically softer, so they load and fall back out easily, but not too easy.
When I had the Timothy Balance cubes, I did put ones I could break apart by hand into my stallion's treat ball (which is in a water tub, so he's not eating off the ground, if you have a harder surface than I do, so less chance of ingesting dirt with the cubes, on the ground is probably fine), and the ball slowed down his consumption.
I have an older (more expensive) treat ball, but this is what I am talking about: https://www.chewy.com/shires-equestrian-products-ball-horse/dp/265673 The Timothy Balance cubes are a bit smaller than standard hay cubes, and typically softer, so they load and fall back out easily, but not too easy.
Just an update - Rowan after a couple of weeks figured out how to get as much of the forage as he wanted out of the muck bucket setups, by taking a giant mouthful of forage + net, dragging it over the side of the bucket, and shaking it so all the forage fell out onto the floor, and Hoovering it up. He's no dummy!
So yesterday I moved it into a 3/4" net hung from the middle of his shed so he can't press it against the wall and get big mouthfuls out. I'll check on him tomorrow and weigh to see how much he ate in two days, but my friend poked her head in there today and said he doesn't look sad or frustrated, but is definitely very busy poking the swinging net with his nose and then picking up the tiny rain of bits that fall down. I also ordered a 1.25" net that I will try double-netting with the 3/4" and placing in the corner, to see which setup he eats faster out of.
So if anyone is interested in a couple of muck bucket toppers...
I think next spring I may also buy a string trimmer to really punish the grass around the edges of his track - I think he gets quite a bit eating along the fencelines and given the crestyness and possible foot tenderness he had this year I just don't want to risk more serious issues.
So yesterday I moved it into a 3/4" net hung from the middle of his shed so he can't press it against the wall and get big mouthfuls out. I'll check on him tomorrow and weigh to see how much he ate in two days, but my friend poked her head in there today and said he doesn't look sad or frustrated, but is definitely very busy poking the swinging net with his nose and then picking up the tiny rain of bits that fall down. I also ordered a 1.25" net that I will try double-netting with the 3/4" and placing in the corner, to see which setup he eats faster out of.
So if anyone is interested in a couple of muck bucket toppers...
I think next spring I may also buy a string trimmer to really punish the grass around the edges of his track - I think he gets quite a bit eating along the fencelines and given the crestyness and possible foot tenderness he had this year I just don't want to risk more serious issues.
