Food and bedding for horses?

Question

Which is the best bedding, and how much does a bag cost, and how long will it last?

Same for hay, which is the best, cost and how long will it last?

Answer 1

Before you decide to get horses, you need to do a lot more research! They are a lot of work, and if you've never owned them before, you need to find someone who has, and can come to your farm and set things up..

Bedding - Pine Shavings are ideal in my opinion, and they cost about $4 per bag, 2 bags will cover the averaged sized stall once a week.

Hay - Good quality Costal hay, T & A, Orchard Grass...these are all good hays, with not too much protien. They all cost about $75 for a round roll and $6-8 for a square bale. If you keep a round roll in the barn, and rake it off as you need it, it will last about, 3 weeks for every 2 horses. A square bale lasts about 4 days for every 2 horses.

Stay away from Alfalfa, it has WAAYY too much protien for horses that are not going through rigorous performance and training..

Dont forget, grass is also very important!

Answer 2

In the Northwest, you'll probably get a lot of grass hay out that way, Utah is a big supplier for states like Nevada and such.  When I lived in Las Vegas, people were paying up to $9/bale, but that was in the middle of the desert.  If you figure a bale has like 8-10 flakes of hay, and you feed 4 flakes a day, a bale only lasts you 2-2.5 days.  I prefer an alafalfa/grass mix, but it all depends on your region.  I'm in IL now, and hay is $3.50/bale

You also have to feed a grain to your horse (I like straight oats) and vitamin/mineral blocks are great to have.  Prices vary on areas.

For bedding, it really depends on your setup.  Some of the "mare motel" type barns have open sides, and sand floors, and you don't need bedding.  Otherwise, I like wood shavings the best, and you get better deals if you buy it in bulk.

Answer 3

NEED TO DO LOTS OF RESEACH **TRUST ME!**

IN THE UK THE BEST HAY IS MEDOW/TIMOTHY HAY.

IT COSTS ABOUT £2.00-3.00 FOR A SMALL SQUARE BALE, IF IT'S FOR A 13-16HH HORSE ABOUT 1 PER DAY.

BEST BEDDING IS SAWCHIPS.

IS ABOUT £10 FOR A GIANT BAG WHICH WILL DO FOR ONE STABLE.

IN THE USA THE BEST HAY IS MEDOW HAY.

IT COST $2.50+ DEPENDING WHERE YOU ARE, 1 PER DAY(SAME AS UK!)

BEST BEDDING IS SAWCHIPS.

IT'S ABOUT $5-10 A BAG YOU NEED TWO PER STABLE.

IN THE UK A HORSE WILL COST YOU ABOUT £3000 A YEAR.

IN THE USA ABOUT $4000.