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| Moderated by: Brenda Im | Page:   1 2 |
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| When to geld? | Rate Topic |
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| Posted: Wed Nov 24th, 2010 03:36 pm |
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21st Post |
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slipslider G.O.G Community Member 
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I feed my horses a grass mix hay only and a very small amount of oats. only time i would consider feeding alfalfa is if horse was in hard training, growing or i had a pregnant mare. My horses have no pasture at all. If your horse has a nice pasture with plenty of grass, then that with some feed for growing foals should be all he needs. Of course i realize winter is coming so you will need hay, but a good grass hay should be just fine and you can add a flake or two of alfalfa along with it since he is still growing.
____________________ LaVonne Summertime Stables, LLC |
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| Posted: Wed Nov 24th, 2010 04:09 pm |
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22nd Post |
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Karal G.O.G Community Member 
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Early altered animals tend to grow taller because they are not using nutrition to feed hormones. Though if altered young, males tend to not bulk up like one left till 3-4 yrs of age. My yearling TWH was gelded at 4 months. I had no desire to deal with hormones. Yes, both testicles were dropped. I know people that have gelded at 3-4 wks of age. Horses do fine on alfalfa. When I was in the hay business we grew alfalfa. More bang for your buck in farm country. My horses did just fine, young and old. I have a lot of friends that feed alfalfa hay. Most of it is what your horse gets/is use too. I have a friend whose horse got the 'thumps' with alfalfa. We were on a 10 day trial ride, she bought 3rd cutting alfalfa to feed her horse on the ride. He was not use to it and over loaded, which you can do with grain too. Anytime you switch feed can affect your horse. When I worked at a race barn they fed alfalfa and grain and these horses were stalled 24/7. I would stay clear of weeds, mold and clover more than I would alfalfa.
____________________ live - laugh - love |
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| Posted: Wed Nov 24th, 2010 04:43 pm |
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23rd Post |
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GaitedToo G.O.G Community Member 
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Hi Karal, Alfalfa works great for many horses, but it's high in potassium and this horse has a condition that requires a low potassium diet. It becomes more important as he gets a little older and we start training him. Orchard grass (most of what we have) is very high in potassium, and brome (the rest of what we have) is still too high but slightly lower than alfalfa or orchard grass. I do have a little alfalfa / brome mix which we'll be feeding him to start getting him off pure alfalfa. Slipslider, we have no pasture at the moment either. Have pulled the horses off of it for the winter. Our pasture does not get very rich, so will be ideal for him when it's growing. My husband says I'm completely overthinking this whole thing and worrying too much about the details of the condition. He's probably right.
____________________ Hawk’s Rise Ranch |
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25th, 2010 01:43 am |
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24th Post |
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Karal G.O.G Community Member
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Have you tried hay cubes?
____________________ live - laugh - love |
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| Posted: Thu Nov 25th, 2010 02:01 pm |
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25th Post |
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GaitedToo G.O.G Community Member
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No. Hay cubes are typically pretty expensive and it would depend what type of grass the cubes are made of. We need to find a happy medium that still maintains his needs but doesn't set his feeding so far apart that it can't be maintained with the other horses.
____________________ Hawk’s Rise Ranch |
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26th, 2010 06:19 pm |
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26th Post |
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GaitedToo G.O.G Community Member
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Update - my hubby just drove the 5 hours to pick up the colt. He'd never been near a horsetrailer, but walked in and out a couple of times within 7 minutes, totally relaxed, only curious. I asked him if he's as nice in person as in his pictures, and his reply (and I quote)... "he's everything we hoped for, and then some". I think he was referring to his mind, not just his looks. They're on their way home now and will stop at the vet's for his first shots and exam. I won't get to see him till tonight after dark (dang, I had to work today!).
____________________ Hawk’s Rise Ranch |
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26th, 2010 08:56 pm |
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27th Post |
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slipslider G.O.G Community Member
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How exciting and that sounds great for a colt that has virtually been untouched. Sounds like he is going to a good one!!
____________________ LaVonne Summertime Stables, LLC |
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26th, 2010 10:40 pm |
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28th Post |
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SPOTD RIDR G.O.G Community Member 
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Can't wait to see him !
____________________ JoAngela "Jo" |
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26th, 2010 11:13 pm |
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29th Post |
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Karal G.O.G Community Member
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How exciting! Will be waiting on photos! I will take a not handled colt any day over one that is spoiled or one that had owners that were scared of him.
____________________ live - laugh - love |
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| Posted: Sun Nov 28th, 2010 08:18 pm |
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30th Post |
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GaitedToo G.O.G Community Member
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This was taken yesterday. Our first full day with him. He has exceeded our expectations! Attachment: Playing day 1.JPG (Downloaded 29 times)
____________________ Hawk’s Rise Ranch |
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| Posted: Sun Nov 28th, 2010 08:22 pm |
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31st Post |
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GaitedToo G.O.G Community Member
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Here's another taking a walk with my husband. I played with him this morning, and he really impresses me with his curious but calm attitude. He started learning to let his feet be picked up today. I don' t know if he'll be ready for a trim in a week when the farrier is here. If not we'll have him come back a week or so after that. BTW - he has not fully dropped so he remains a stud colt for now. Attachment: Taking a walk day 1 LR.jpg (Downloaded 29 times)
____________________ Hawk’s Rise Ranch |
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| Posted: Sun Nov 28th, 2010 10:29 pm |
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32nd Post |
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TessieBAgain G.O.G Community Member 
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He's a beauty!
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| Posted: Sun Nov 28th, 2010 11:11 pm |
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33rd Post |
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GypsySusan G.O.G Community Member 
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He is gorgeous - I just love babies.
____________________ Susan http://www.gypsytrotters.com Phil 4:11-13, 19 Missouri Fox Trotters: To Ride One... Is to Own One. |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 29th, 2010 01:37 pm |
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34th Post |
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slipslider G.O.G Community Member
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so glad he is working out so well!! He looks great. ;)
____________________ LaVonne Summertime Stables, LLC |
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| Posted: Mon Nov 29th, 2010 01:58 pm |
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35th Post |
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GaitedToo G.O.G Community Member
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We found we like to start with babies a lot more than with older horses. We don't have to untrain bad habits. A blank slate is easier to train the way we like. I have to say, we are very impressed with him so far. Far exceeded our expectations where a good mind is concerned.
____________________ Hawk’s Rise Ranch |
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