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)

 

Various Horsekeeping Practices of Old

As I may have mentioned before, I have always been fascinated with reading old, out of print books to find out what sorts of things people in the past did when it comes to caring for and training horses.

I did this research in part, because I want to see what sort of progress we’ve made with new discoveries in science and animal behavior.  But also in part, because when horses were a daily necessity, I imagine there was general “common knowledge” of good practices that have since fallen by the wayside.  One would think they would have known a thing or two when the average person relied on horses on a daily basis. 

So, with that in mind, here are a few interesting things I have found from various old, out-of-date books. These are just various snippets, with my comments in brackets []. I will probably update this from time to time with new discoveries.

The following bits are 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)

Stables and Barns

Loose boxes should be, at least, 12 ft . by 16 ft. In India , 10 ft. by 12 ft . would be a minimum . The walls between the boxes should be made about 6 ft. high , so as to be just sufficient to prevent the animals smelling each other over them…

If possible, there should always be a space of a few inches all round, between the roof and the top of the outside walls [for proper ventilation].  The windows of a stable ought never to be shut by night or day; in cold weather , add to the clothing, but never deprive them of the first great source of vitality , “fresh air."

On all occasions, when the stables are empty, they should be thrown open for the admittance of sunlight, which is a powerful disinfectant.

At the entrance of the box or stall, for appearance sake, the bedding should be arranged in a straight line, which is finished off by a piece of plaited straw being stretched along it. [This part greatly amused me; imagine insisting a piece of braided straw was neatly arranged at the entrance for looks!]

Feeding Practices

Sheets may be used with advantage instead of mangers. They may be made of sacking (tat), and about a square yard in size. They are laid on the ground, and the grain is spread over them. They cost little, are easily cleaned , and can be packed up in a small compass. I always employed them with my own horses in India. (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)

[I would like to note here that I have used a version of this, being a large tarp spread over damp or muddy ground, to feed hay and hay cubes in the winter.  It has the added advantage of de-spooking horses to tarps, to the point where many of mine will chase after a tarp and stomp all over it, looking for food.]

More favorite products and cool things for farm use

Alcohol wipes For cleaning off cell phone and tablet screens, wiping down general sticky gunk from surfaces. I have always carried a few in my purse and now habitually use them to clean phone screens and my car display screen.  Funnily enough, I just recently saw them marketed (for quite the markup) as "electronic device cleaning pads". Guess somebody stole my idea! 

Game sled for dragging hay bales and mucking stalls. I actually bought this sled to use on my small farm to drag hay bales in behind my tractor.  It works much better than I expected, and I plan to buy another!  Even though I don't use it on snow, but over a rocky driveway, it has held up amazingly well, and allows me (an average size woman) to easily transport 2 bales of hay down the hill to the horses.  I can drag it by hand, or with the tractor or truck.  Excellent item!  The bottom is now beginning to be a bit abraded, so I will look for some sort of reinforcement for it, but after a couple years over rocks, no surprise!

Hoof Rasp (Heller) - I frequently rasp my horses' hooves between farrier visits to keep them from chipping and cracking.  The difference a new, sharp, quality rasp makes is amazing!  Literally a few swipes, and boom, you're done!  I had purchased a different brand new rasp last time, and I may as well have been using a cheese grater for all the effect it had.  Just one note... when using this, wear heavy leather gloves!  It will shave the skin off your hand before you feel a thing, and it's very easy to do.  Excellent product. 

Mesh Laundry Bags - These things are super handy for washing stuff like polo wraps and leg bandages.  Also useful for washing tack cleaning rags, tack sponges, and the like.  I also use them for washing my makeup sponges and powder puffs and all my million hair scrunchies. 

Of course, I would wash dirty rags and anything that might have horse poopies completely separate from all other laundry!! In fact, if a saddle pad or something is really dirty, I normally hose it off and do a first wash in a large muck bucket outside before putting it in the actual washing machine.  Sadly, I do not have the luxury of a separate barn washer and dryer, although those that have them are lucky!

Tracker for elderly or sick pets

I designed this dry-erase board to help me keep track of Zoey's medications, bowel movements, and feedings. Between my SO and I, it can be hard to know when she ate and when she took certain meds.  I found this super helpful, so now I am selling the design if anyone else can benefit.  

I also welcome any suggestions for improvement!

Pet tracker

So after the popularity of this design, I went ahead and made another one that I myself use in the stable to keep track of my horse care, vet visits, deworming, and so forth.  Here it is if you would like one as well, for yourself or a gift!

horse care tracker

The Farmers' Museum: Mangel Wurzels

The Farmers' Museum: Mangel Wurzels

This is a very interesting blog.  The linked article concerns growing mangels for livestock feed.  I've been interested in doing this for a while to give to the horses in the winter. Here is the beginning of the post...

To read more, click HERE

DIY Home Fodder System

DIY Home Fodder System - from threemealsfarm.

There are also some interesting books on the subject, such as Homesteading 101: The Fodder Method and Fast and Easy DIY Fodder System.

Interesting idea for growing your own fodder.  They use it to feed chickens and goats. I'm thinking it could also be used for horses, although I don't know how much you'd have to grow to make a dent in the horses' diet.