Strange and Unique horse feed - updated

Odd Feeds for Horses

I have been reading up on some older, out of print books to find out what sorts of things horses have been fed in the past and in other countries.  I find this very interesting, as many of the things considered normal and proper have changed with scientific advances. Some things horses were fed in the past were necessary due to lack of “proper” feed, and were downright strange.  For example:

A still more stimulating food was sometimes provided for Indian horses in a meal of boiled mutton or goat's flesh . Marco Polo tells us that in Malabar they fed their horses on boiled meat and rice. In Cutch , before hard work , the old outlaw custom of giving the horse such food still prevails. (from Things Indian Being Discursive Notes on Various Subjects Connected with India By William Crooke · 1906)

The following is from Training and Horse Management in India With a Hindustanee Stable & Veterinary Vocabulary, and the Calcutta Turf Club Weights for Age and Class, By Matthew Horace Hayes · 1885

Rice.-- In some parts of India , especially in Eastern Bengal, rice in husk , commonly called paddy (Hind . Dhan) , is much used , after it has been kept for one season . It is given raw and in a broken state. It forms a fairly good food. A mixture of one part of gram to two of rice is an excellent one for feeding purposes. Rice, without the husk, is quite unsuitable for horses. [I found this very interesting, as I started feeding cooked parboiled rice to my elderly guy which really seemed to help him put on weight.  Not sure why he says ‘rice without the husk’ is unsuitable].  

Carrots and other roots contain but a small amount of nutriment compared to their bulk, hence they are inapplicable for forming a large proportion of the food of horses, which are called upon to do fast work. They supply the system with certain important salts , which tend to preserve the fluidity of the blood and to build up tissue. … They come into season during the autumn, and may, with great benefit, be given in quantities of 6 or 7 lbs. daily: 2 or 3 lbs. will be sufficient for race-horses. Parsnips are almost as good as carrots.

…Carrots also improve the state of the skin. They form a good substitute for grass, and an excellent alterative for horses out of condition. To sick and idle horses they render corn unnecessary. They are beneficial in all chronic diseases of the organs connected with breathing, and have a marked influence upon chronic cough and broken wind. They are serviceable in diseases of the skin.

Milk. For sick or delicate horses, milk is often most valuable, and they will seldom refuse it. Sweet skim-milk is preferable to new milk, which, from being too rich, is very apt to purge the horse [Give them diarrhea]. A couple of gallons may be given daily. To correct any tendency it might have to produce diarrhea, the milk might be brought to the boil in a clean vessel, care being taken that it be not smoked during the process . Sugar or salt may be added.

Another snippet, this one from John Lockwood Kipling, C. (1904). Beast and Man in India; A popular sketch of indian animals in their relations with the people. New York: The Macmillan Company.

 [The following discusses the desire of a stocky, draft-like build in naturally thin Indian horses] 

"But by rigorous confinement and careful stuffing with rich food even this condition is approached. Many horses belonging to persons of rank are fattened like fowls in France, by the grooms thrusting balls of food mixed with ghi, boiled goats' brains, and other rich messes down their throats. And, as might be expected, very many die of diseases of the digestion and liver under the process. The difference between East and West, between old and new, between feudal and free conditions, is shown in few things more clearly than in a comparison of the horse of the Indian Raja with the scientifically treated animal of Europe and America. The latter is carefully fed during the all-important period of its growth, so that its strength and substance are fully developed, while it is made to take regular exercise." (p.166)

Peaceful Winter Night Under the Cold Moon

 

The night is cold and brisk, yet peacefully silent.  The moon glows overhead, illuminating the bare winter landscape.  The air smells crisp, as if hinting at coming snow. A fox gives a curt, sharp cry to his mate down the farm lane, then silently disappears into the woods.  In the cloudless sky, the stars brilliantly sparkle with the promise of a bright new year to come.  

So proud of pony Wookie!

My little ornery pony has come a long way! Wookie is my 5 yr. old Friesian/ Welsh cross pony. (Yes, I know, it was an accidental breeding).  Last week, my young junior jockey neighbor Yomar first took him for a refresher ride in the western saddle (as it had been a few weeks since he was last ridden).

Then the following day, his father (Yomar Ortiz Sr., a professional jockey) accompanied him on Pimms for a bit of leg stretching.  This time, he rode Wookie bareback (as he is most comfortable), and managed to urge him into a canter of more than a few strides for the first time.  They did great, I was very proud of both Wookie and Pimms.

And finally, I decided to finally take Wookie on a trail ride.  He did wonderfully, never having had to carry and adult for so long, and even doing a couple nice canter stretches!  I am very pleased with my little guy.

Here are the videos of the younger and elder Ortiz riders.  Aren't they just adorable?!:

Hobble Training: Cruel or No?

I recently got into a discussion with a friend of mine regarding hobbling horses.  She is European and from a dressage background, and she was vehemently against it, saying it's cruel and breaks a horse's spirit.  I argued that while that is perhaps the old West, bronc-bustin' reputation of hobbling, it can be done in a perfectly safe and humane way, and can have many benefits.

The benefits I have found include:

• It's an excellent way of teaching a horse not to panic if it were to get caught up in wire, rope, vines or the like. (Just do a google search for "horse caught in wire" to see some horrific accidents)
• It enforces your leadership position and builds trust.
• It is necessary (or at least preferable) for some trick training. (Eg., placing a horse's foot up on a pedestal, bow or kneel, etc.)
• It desensitizes a horse's legs to being confined or stuck. It may be necessary for a medical procedure, and a horse taught to hobble will not panic when it is done.

One important thing I must point out, is that a horse must be TRAINED TO HOBBLE. Like the one-rein stop it is extremely dangerous unless the horse has been taught what it entails and how to properly respond.  You must teach the horse in a safe, gradual manner, so they understand what is happening and do not panic.

So now I would like to hear your opinion on hobbles... yes or no?

How to Teach a Horse to be Hobbled.

I will post another article shortly on the ethics of using hobbles to train horses, after getting into a big discussion about it with a friend of mine.  I personally think it's a great tool, so if you are interested in training a horse to hobble, this is a method I find safe.

First of all, the horse must know how to lead and have their feet handled calmly.  Mine were also accustomed to dragging a lead rope, and had figured out how to move their feet if standing on it and caught. Next, you want to set the horse up for success, meaning not super fresh (Lunge, ride, whatever first to get them a little tired). The ideal way to introduce hobbles is when they are hungry and you have fresh green grass they are eager to graze…. They are generally less likely to fight and more interested in staying put and eating.

The horse needs to have a halter and a long lead rope on, so you can guide them if necessary.  I only had one horse try to rear and fall to the side, and I was able to direct him with the lead rope to make sure he didn’t land on his head.  (That was his one outburst, luckily). You need a location with soft footing, but I didn’t like the idea of the round pen, as the horse can hop about quite a bit in the beginning, and wanted enough space to move with nothing they could hit, so I used an open field.

You want their front legs fairly close (i.e., horse standing square) when you put on the hobbles. Use very soft hobbles, generally either lined leather cuffs or thick cotton rope. After putting on the hobbles, stand back, keeping a hold on the lead rope, and being careful to stay to the side (and out of his path), should he launch forward. Some horses want to hop right into your space, so be ready to move out of the way! 

If your horse doesn’t move, apply light pressure to the lead rope, to encourage him to take a step. Again, be ready for the horse to attempt to leap into your space. Let your horse figure it out on his own, but keep hold of the lead line, so you can help keep him from getting in trouble, and to help him balance. (Be sure to keep the slack off the ground, so he doesn’t inadvertently get his front legs over it.)

Let the horse struggle with why his feet are caught and what to do about it.  They may struggle for a little while, try hopping around, etc.  One clever horse of mine promptly started sniffing the hobbles and nibbling, trying to figure out how to untie them! Eventually, the horse gets tired of fighting and will just stand.  Be sure to praise him verbally when he does this!

When he is finally totally relaxed and standing still, you can approach him, tell him what a great boy he is, and carefully take them off. I then encourage the horse to step forward to show he’s no longer restrained…. Many are hesitant to move at first.

Hobbling should be repeated here and there to remind the horse not to panic when trapped by the feet.  Like any training, you occasionally need a refresher!

Using a Donkey to Halter Break a Foal

Great method! I have tied a youngster to an older horse to lead them up and down the driveway a couple times, which works well.  This method here, however, is the old-fashioned way of teaching a youngster to lead well.  I like the article, as it explains exactly how they go about it to keep things safe. Click here to read the article:  Donkeys to Halter Break