Forages

Hay in New England has been a problem of late. During the winter of 2007, my supplier ran out. That's the first time in seven years of buying hay that it had happened. The haying season of 2008 wasn't very good here either. Heavy rains and the price of gas have driven hay prices to an all time high.

On Friday I wrote about the importance of hydration, especially in the winter. It got me thinking about the changes I've been making to my horse's feeding regime.

Last winter hay was scarce and expensive. It doesn't look like this winter will be much better; weather conditions this summer made it difficult to cut and bale hay, resulting in a shortage in many parts of the country. Here in New England, hay is about $350 per ton, so when you have two tons delivered, you want to make sure that it's stored properly.

I've always hated when my horses waste hay. It's like throwing money on the ground and it's a pain in the butt to rake it all up. So, about five or six years ago I invested in a pasture feeder.