[County]

I have 27 horses right now and have owned 100's the last 40 plus years. Right now all mine are fed only hay except 1. I've never once read any reserch or had a vet tell me horses need anything other then good quality hay or grass unless theres a health problem. What are you baseing your statement on that horses should not be fed just hay?

[Dawn]

Originally Posted by myspookypony

The horse only has access to hay. Horses, as I have been taught should NEVER only eat hay. Pebbles on a ground could easily bruise the horses frog, expecially if it's stands on them for 24h. The only cannot move at anything above a plod.

All in all, it is NOT a healthy situation.

By abuse, i mean it's not being starved or beaten :P

Why should horses not eat only hay? What do you feed your horses in the winter?

[County]

What makes you think the horse only gets hay to eat anyway? Unless your there 24/7 for all you know he could be getting grain everyday.

[myspookypony]

It has just what I been taught, and personally I go for it. During the three months our horses only get hay. However when our horses have access to grass, we make sure to give them it. Remember, I have owned a horse for no more then a month and I haven't been in charge for a great extent of care.

Remember, I am going by what I have been not. The hay is not a HUGE problem. Mine is the EXTREMLY small and unfair pen. They literally have half a round pen!

[Dawn]

Some horses go their entire life on hay alone. After all, it's just dried grass.

[LuckyGurl]

Originally Posted by myspookypony

The horse only has access to hay. Horses, as I have been taught should NEVER only eat hay. Pebbles on a ground could easily bruise the horses frog, expecially if it's stands on them for 24h. The only cannot move at anything above a plod.

All in all, it is NOT a healthy situation.

By abuse, i mean it's not being starved or beaten :P

This statement to me makes no sense at all. I have a few easy keepers and if they got any type of grain they would be over weight. In the winter they get hay, and only hay. What else would i feed them?

Is this setup permanent at Canadian Tire, or is it just something they have going on for a few days, or a week. Also, how do you know what happens after hours. They could very well take all the animals out and give them proper exercise.

The only thing i really dont agree with is the pebbels, but then again if the horses arent moving around alot of them, while it may be a little bit hard on there feet i cant see it causing too much damage. I would maybe talk to manager about your concerns, but i dont really think you have any place be accusing them of abuse, that just my opionin anyways.

[myspookypony]

Originally Posted by LuckyGurl

This statement to me makes no sense at all. I have a few easy keepers and if they got any type of grain they would be over weight. In the winter they get hay, and only hay. What else would i feed them?

Is this setup permanent at Canadian Tire, or is it just something they have going on for a few days, or a week. Also, how do you know what happens after hours. They could very well take all the animals out and give them proper exercise.

The only thing i really dont agree with is the pebbels, but then again if the horses arent moving around alot of them, while it may be a little bit hard on there feet i cant see it causing too much damage. I would maybe talk to manager about your concerns, but i dont really think you have any place be accusing them of abuse, that just my opionin anyways.

Please ignore that statement as to me it is not a big deal in the slightest, it just adds. The animals are there for until the end of August.

I do not plan to accuse them of abuse.
I wanted to tell them my feelings and concerns. I also think they are just unaware. I can just feel for the poor pony, who is trying not to put all his weight on each leg. I bet his feet hurt.

[LuckyGurl]

Originally Posted by myspookypony

It has just what I been taught, and personally I go for it. During the three months our horses only get hay. However when our horses have access to grass, we make sure to give them it. Remember, I have owned a horse for no more then a month and I haven't been in charge for a great extent of care.

Remember, I am going by what I have been not. The hay is not a HUGE problem. Mine is the EXTREMLY small and unfair pen. They literally have half a round pen!

What is your suggestion for a horse who has foundered and cant be on grass? Grass is good, but does not work well in all situations. I have had some horses who need to be on grass, hay, and grain to keep a healthy weight, and then i have had horses who need only hay...anything more then hay and they are at an unhealthy weight.

There are many horses out there that live in there stalls 24/7, only getting out for maybe an hour a day when they are ridden or exercised. While i DONT agree with that, it is still somewhat of a common practice.

[myspookypony]

Please note: I am disgusted by the pebbles and shape limestones rocks. Everything else is just a negative but not horrible,

[Berlunz]

if its pea gravel then thats not abuse at all its actually a good type of bedding for horses over hard ground. Shavings dont always absorb the impact but pea gravel is a good substitute to put on hard ground as long as they are not running on it. My trainers stalls have runs that are hard ground underneath so they spread pea gravel to help on the horses. As long as they are not running on it, pea gravel is very smooth and the pebbles are so small even if they do get in a hoof its usually only if there is mud in there and it rarely hurts, since as said before they are smooth.

The horse has food, I am assuming is of a good weight and is able to drink water and their stall is kept semi clean. To me it just sounds like they are limited in space but are taking good care of the animals. But how do you know they dont turn them out or put them somewhere else for the night? this was your first visit..