If you have read my blog for some time,
and seen my many posts about our equines,
then you probably have noticed that my "bigs" and "littles"
are a bit on the chubby side.
Keeping the horses trim seems to be a never-ending battle,
and at times a losing proposition.
I limit the time they spend on pasture;
and unless it is cold outside,
I also limit their hay.
Horses are grazers, though, and are healthiest when they can eat small amounts often.
So......
in a attempt to find middle ground,
so that they can eat more often without
over-consuming calories....
I am trying out some slow feeders for hay.
I found these at our local feed store and installed them yesterday afternoon.
Then I took a video to show you how they work.....
While I was busy working with the horses,
the construction crew was doing this....
and by the end of the day, our barn looked like this....
Can you believe...
those workers walked around on top of those roof trusses
like tight-rope walkers.
Amazing!
I have a little guessing game for you today...
Can you guess what this is?
It's very strange, isn't it?
It is a small part of this....
How about this?
I think it looks like it could be part of a nostril.
Maybe of a piggie?
But, no, it is a part of this.....
which I call our "ogre" fungus...
because it looks mean and nasty!
And last...
the last roses of the season.
We are to have frost this week,
so these blooms will soon be just a memory.
And lastly, I want to tell you about our lady bug phenomenon.
Each year when the weather turns cold,
we have an afternoon or two when
scores of ladybugs leave the woods and cling to the side of the barn and house...
soaking in the season's last bit of warmth.
Yesterday was one such day...
a ladybug day!
Ladybug, ladybug...
fly away home.
Comments
The new building is looking great!! Oh just the thought of the men up on tip..oh my!! Heights are not my favorite place to be.
We are getting the cold weather also so last minute work to do outside.
Good luck with the feed bags..and looking forward to your new additions..so cute!!!
Judi B.
Loved the pictures and the video of the horses feeding...I have a feeling Moonbeams 'feeder' isn't going to last long the way he's going at it LOL! My little 'Keefer' (a little Egyptian Arabian I once had and who was my favorite) was an 'easy keeper'...didn't eat much but still looked a little 'round'. I think he could have benefited from a feeder like this. Those warty pumpkins are definitely homely looking. We've had one light frost about a week ago and since then it's been in the 80's during the day and 50's at night. I think that's going to change soon though. Enjoy the last of your roses while you can...it's always sad to see them go. Have a wonderful day!
Maura :)
Wow, that is one big building and I can't believe those acrobats! Amazing!
Love the ladybugs..they over winter here wherever they can. Loved those beautiful shots of the roses.
My husband built my horse a slow feeder box out of wood. It is shaped to fit a metal grate. It works pretty well but the openings in the grate are a bit too big. He is supposed to make me another one with a grate that has smaller openings.
Have you ever tried a grazing muzzle? I started using one on my gelding this summer. He likes his muzzle as he knows he is going out to eat! He is able to be out all day and graze while in the pasture -but in a more controlled fashion!
Lisa
That is one Ginormous ManCave! lol! I don't dare let Gary see it! we could fit 4 of ours in there! lol!
Winter is setting in, cold, cold cold over here.
Hope you are having a lovely Autumn.
hugz
A friend of mine who is trying to limit the amount of hay one of horses eats has some kind of halter that fits over her head and only allows the horse to take small "nibbles" at the grass - just a thought.
love reading your block here in Suburban Sydney, Australia