We've just started bringing the horses in from pasture in the past few days. Typically we bring them in on November 1st because by then both the condition of the grasses and the weather mean grazing season is over. But we had phenomenal forage conditions this year (lots of moisture plus fertilizer), and so far we only have a skiff of snow on the ground, so we've been able to leave the horses out about three weeks longer than usual.
And we're not done yet. We have the sighted horses and six of the blind ones still left out on pasture because the paddocks they're in are ones we rested until late summer (meaning we didn't graze them until then), so they have plenty of grass to eat. This time of year the grass is pretty much what we call "standing hay," but it keeps them out of the corrals and not eating the expensive stuff we call "purchased hay"!
I took the photo above this afternoon of two of our blind horses, Luna and Bridger, eating hay from a horse feeder made from a converted tractor tire. They were among the horses we brought in on Friday because their paddocks had been grazed enough. But if we can keep the others out on pasture for at least another week, that will be a full extra month of free eating!
What a great idea for a feeder. How did you turn the tire inside out?
Posted by: Korey | December 22, 2008 at 12:23 PM
You don't realize how large that tractor tire is until two horse heads dissapear into in! I'm so glad that this years weather has helped on the feed situation for the grazers. When I first saw this pic, I thought, now they have headless horses?
Hugs to all,
ginger, Tobias & Tlingit
Posted by: ginger | November 25, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Free is good. And outside as long as you can be, is good, too. Soon enough the new ring will get some use, I'm sure.
Posted by: Janet in Cambridge | November 25, 2008 at 06:47 AM
I guess Mother Nature got wind of the tough economy right now & is doing her part to contribute! I hope she remains kind during the winter. Love the innovative horse feeder.
Posted by: Colleen & Sweet Kitty Erin | November 24, 2008 at 08:05 PM
Awesome. Some free hay from Mother Nature is well-deserved as every penny counts! Hope your winter is kind, too!
Posted by: Margaret | November 24, 2008 at 04:00 PM