[laura_lou21]

One thing you might want to watch out for is any kind of breathing problems or coughing with him. My little mare has slowly developed asthma over the last couple years so now I have to really watch her on round bales because standing there with her head in it all day can lead to her cough flaring up if the bale's a bit dusty. If it's good hay and out of the elements you'll probably be fine as far as that's concerned, but keep an eye out anyways. In my opinion round bales are great if the hay is good and it can be eaten quick enough or is protected from the rain/snow. But I'd still be a little ticked too if I was in your situation!

[shawnee1020]

I wish I could use round bales, much more economical, But only time tried was when they where boarded. The barn owners put a round out for my 2 horses and my TB coliced the next day. The vet said he was eating to much, and not drinking enough to go with it. So have had to go back to
square bales. Now at my own place I'm afraid to try again, So I just throw them hay 3 times a day.

[walktrotcanter]

The only thing I would be a bit peeved about is the fact that my horse really was unable to use the shelter properly and comfortably. Other than that...I wish all boarding stables would give round bales for the horses! It's peace of mind knowing that your horse always has hay...especially during a time when grass is not plentiful. As everyone else has said--just be sure it is GOOD hay, and not moldy, too dusty, etc. I bet your horse truly appreciates this more than having a few flakes a day that he devours quicker than you may think.

[Blistering Winds]

Originally Posted by shawnee1020

I wish I could use round bales, much more economical, But only time tried was when they where boarded. The barn owners put a round out for my 2 horses and my TB coliced the next day. The vet said he was eating to much, and not drinking enough to go with it. So have had to go back to
square bales. Now at my own place I'm afraid to try again, So I just throw them hay 3 times a day.

some horses can be that way.

What I would do, is turn them out for an hour, pull them off. Then add 30 minutes each day or every 2 days until they are out all day safely.

many times they are so nervous about not getting enough, they don't leave for fear of other horses eating their "share".

So you can always try the limitation to slowly bring them onto the bales......

[SweetIron]

If they are in a bad financial position, maybe they are just trying to cut corners? It's a whole lot less physical labor (a LOT less!) hauling a roundbale out once a month.. as opposed to daily hauling hay. That could require gasoline or diesel expenditures, and gas prices are rising. Or it could simply require alot of physical arm-labor hauling hay to horses.. labor that they can't afford to pay someone to do, or don't have the time themselves..
If there are other issues though, that are putting your horse at-risk, maybe you Should find a better boarder. Like the water issue. There is No excuse for horses to not have water IMO. Free access to hay, without free access to water, is a dangerous thing.
IMO re: the hay. It depends on quality. I'd rather have some well-put-up roundbaled, than some of the Nasty squarebales I have seen. I personally yse Large squarebales (the kind that are roughly 7' long by 3' sideways; rectangular.) Peel a big flake off for each mare in the morning, and by nighttime they have finished that with little waste.

[Debbie z.]

If Cutting corners than don't have horses. Take on what you can handle and afford. No drinking water but plenty of hay? Colic like mentioned. I unload 200 bales w/ my friend she can't afford much so we do it ourselves for 12 horses including my own . They always have fresh water and flakes of hay because of risks.

[kyryah]

I fed rounds for the first time this winter, and I LOVED it. It took two weeks for my 4 horses to get through one 500lb bale. (I should mention one is a Mini mule that gets fat on AIR and three of them are under 10HH.)

Now that it is spring and they need to slim back down, we are back to squares.

If the bale is inside, it is not going to get nasty. Rounds are tightly wrapped and it should be fine.

If he has grass, he will chose that over the hay.

Kristina

[Jess!]

Originally Posted by Debbie z.

If Cutting corners than don't have horses. Take on what you can handle and afford. No drinking water but plenty of hay? Colic like mentioned. I unload 200 bales w/ my friend she can't afford much so we do it ourselves for 12 horses including my own . They always have fresh water and flakes of hay because of risks.

I cut corners a lot, and I know a lot of other horse owners do, as well.

You can still cut corners and still take good care of your horses.

And to me, putting out Round Bales instead of flakes is the best way to save money, not to mention time.

[Debbie z.]

Originally Posted by Jess!

I cut corners a lot, and I know a lot of other horse owners do, as well.

You can still cut corners and still take good care of your horses.

And to me, putting out Round Bales instead of flakes is the best way to save money, not to mention time.

You can def cut cornersI agree. But to have a round bale for one horse and put it in his run-in shed is too much. If you have more than one horse it's a good idea. But to put that big bale in run-in shed where's horse gonna lay down and what if it get soiled? I cut corners for saving money too but I also take good care of my horse and I'm practical.

[Debbie z.]

Originally Posted by kyryah

I fed rounds for the first time this winter, and I LOVED it. It took two weeks for my 4 horses to get through one 500lb bale. (I should mention one is a Mini mule that gets fat on AIR and three of them are under 10HH.)

Now that it is spring and they need to slim back down, we are back to squares.

If the bale is inside, it is not going to get nasty. Rounds are tightly wrapped and it should be fine.

If he has grass, he will chose that over the hay.

Kristina

I think round bales are good for winter time when there's no grass. But every farm is different. All farms have their own source of feeding hay and it's all good.