How Hard is it to Feed a Horse?
A boarder finds new appreciation for caretakers.

During the 23 years that The Lady has been with me, she has always been boarded. Sometimes with only a couple other horses, but generally in bigger barns. The barn were she is now currently has about 20 horses. She has been lucky in that she has been kept at places where the manager will pay attention to and respect my wishes as to what she is fed – generally less than the other horses because she is such an easy keeper. Because Mary, the boarding barn manager, had some other commitments, it has been my pleasure to get to do some of the feeding at the barn where The Lady is boarded. As with any other task, when it is not your full-time job, it is more like play than work. Even putting up hay is not really work when you are part of a gang that only does a 100 bales once a year. Also, my fill-in feeding would be in nice summer weather, so it is definitely not the task that it is in other seasons when you have to deal with mud and cold. In my case it is also made easier because of Mary’s training as to exactly who-gets-what-how-when-and-where. According to Mary, the entire process of feeding the entire herd should only take 30-40 minutes after I got a routine down. How hard could that be? She failed to mention how many feedings it takes for someone who does not routinely feed a herd of horses to get into any type of routine. The very first time I fed the herd was evening hay – the simple one because there were no supplements, grain, or grain mixes to dole out. Simply top off the water tanks and pass out the hay. It was also almost 90 degrees, and very humid, but at least there was a little breeze.

Until that point, I had never driven a Gator, but figured it would be a lot like a golf cart and not that difficult. It wasn’t, but being a novice, I drove much slower than people who were more comfortable with the machine. Not surprisingly, as soon as the horses heard the Gator start up, they began to head in from the field. By the time I arrived at the pasture, all ten horses in the big herd were gathered by the gate demanding to be fed what they considered their first food in several days. Never mind the fact that they had been fed that very morning and been out on good pasture all day! You all know how “starving” they were because I am pretty sure you have seen the same antics.

Instead of being able to put a flake here and a flake there, I threw the first flake over the fence into a clear spot. Quickly moving forward, I tossed another to a spot 30’ away. That at least stopped the milling and gave me a chance to get some hay into the feeder. On down the fence line with a flake here, here, and there. Every horse seemed satisfied that they were getting the best hay.

Now around the barn and over to the quarantine paddock where the two new horses were being kept temporarily. Easy lofts over the fence and they were happy. Over to the small field for two more that were again easy. Across the creek to two more who were also easy. Down the drive to the next four who had become very impatient at the way-too-long-a-wait. Tossing a couple “distraction” flakes and over to fill the feeder. That’s where the breeze blew the hay right back into me. Oh well, now I was a real horse person with hay in my hair, and down my neck, and stuck to my sweaty arms. Back down the drive to the last two horses, who were surprisingly patient and even gave me a nicker and a “head wave.” How very nice to receive that small reward.

The farm buildings are in a valley and the smaller fields are on a hillside overlooking a large part of the farm. As I drove back towards the barn, I saw a couple of horses from the big herd at the water tank. The water tanks! I had forgotten to top them off and it was very hot and humid and the horses would definitely be thirsty. Back I went to the end of the line and was pleased to see that the troughs were at least half full and that no horse had been without water. Starting up the first trough, I moved on down the line to get the others filling. How organized I was! The first tank is pretty small and was over flowing by the time I got back to it. Mud – nuts! I got to the second tank just in time, but when I got to the third one, it was overflowing – from the middle! That one is a big tank that only supports two horses, so even half full is much more than enough for two horses, but I still made a muddy mess there as well.

The two tanks by the barn came next. The quarantine paddock one is smaller, and even though it only supplies two horses, was down to about a foot from the bottom. Filling that one first, I took a moment to check the barn, feed the cats, check on the dogs’ food and water, and race back just in time to keep the small tank from overflowing. Top off the other-bigger-than-two-horses-needed and headed to the main herd’s tank. While it was not empty, it definitely needed filling. That tank supplies ten horses with water, so it too is large. After setting the hose to fill it, I loaded up the Gator with the next morning’s hay and parked it. What a relief!

All I had to do was fill that last tank and I had successfully finished my first evening horses feeding. I was sweating and covered in hay, but pretty satisfied with myself for having made all those horses happy. Then I saw the mud growing at the base of the herd’s tank. What?!? The hose had flipped out of the tank. Mumble, mumble. It took an endless amount of time to fill that tank, even after I used the hose to wash down my arms. Now I was finished! Only just over an hour had passed….

The next morning I was much more organized. I began by ignoring the milling horses and setting up their water tank to fill with the hose placed so that it could not flip out and make more mud. Actually got the grain and supplements passed out without anything more than the normal nasty looks and movement of the herd’s dynamics. Only had to go back for forgotten supplements two times. I was again proud when I finished that more involved feeding in just over an hour. Since those first times, I have done some of the other feedings. Mary was right. I did develop a routine that keeps even morning feedings down to about half an hour. What I find, however, is that it usually does take me over an hour – because I have the opportunity to watch the horses, their herd behaviors, and little idiosyncrancies. I also have the chance to learn some of what is normal for each horse and how they behave in the herd. The last two on the feeding line continue to provide me with a nicker and a head bob. The group of four has begun to split into two buddies, except at feeding time when one horse still needs to be fed on the other side of the shed. The two leaders in the big herd really can control the rest of the herd with a look. Lower in status horses in the big herd still receive generous amounts of grain because they are adapt at circling around the higher ranking horses’ “arguments” and grabbing a large bite of feed before quickly moving away from the status matches.

It really would be rewarding to have The Lady at home so I could learn even more about her. But then the seasons will change. I do not envy any of you who feed in the cold, wet, and mud. Sweat is enough for me! The need to care for her at least twice a day, every day would be daunting with my schedule. Consider this a big thank you to all of you who use good care and consistency to all the horses under your care, every day. It would be too much for me!