Have you considered your hay storage lately? - Photo by Colleen Peachey
Just this morning, I was sadly reminded that things can happen very quickly. During my daily commute into the office, I take a number of back roads through the rolling hills of Chester County. On this morning, I saw traffic slowing to pass by a road that was blocked off by fire and rescue vehicles. Looking as I drove past, I saw smoldering remains where a barn stood only yesterday.
Here at the farm, I’m super particular about hay storage. When our hay gets cut, dried and baled, it goes into the barn. I’m practically manic about putting agriculture grade salt in between each layer, and make sure to regularly check the temperature of the hay as it cures. And most importantly, I chose to build a separate pole building to store hay, so that it is not kept under the same roof as my horses.
Even though I very carefully monitor freshly baled hay, I feel much more at ease knowing that it is stored in a build away from my horses, because you just never know. Have you considered the proximity in which you store hay to your horses? Check out this video over at The Horse, in which storing hay at a safe distance from your horses is discussed.
And then make sure to check out some of the other headlines from this week in Horse Health News, presented by Absorbine:
Pastured Horses Have an Advantage: Ever ponder what the best turnout schedule is for your horse? According to Dr. Larry Bramlage, a prominent American equine surgeon, horses that live turned out on pasture have an advantage over those that are kept in confined areas. Horses that live out can keep moving, which means that their circulation is also kept moving. [Horsetalk]
How to Keep Your Horse’s Tail Healthy: When was the last time that you took the time to take a look at the underside of your horse’s tailbone while grooming them? It’s just one of those spots that are easy to gloss past during daily grooming session, but it is an area where problems can develop from a lack of maintenance. [Equus Magazine]
Understanding Horse’s Water Requirements: Making sure that your horse stays hydrated is essential, especially in the summer heat. Did you know that the average 1100lb horse will require between 4-9 gallons of water per day, just for maintenance? And that water intake can vary based on several factors, including feed consumed, outside conditions, the health of your horse, and his or her physiological state. [The Horse]
8 Summer Health Concerns for Horses: While horses seem to enjoy grazing out in lush green pastures during the summer months, there are certain health concerns that their owners should be on the lookout for during the warm season. With concerns ranging from insect sensitivity to sunburn, and from andirosis to dehydration, there is a lot to keep an eye out for. Read up on what you should look for, and what you can do about it. [Equus Magazine]
