[ladylove]

My new 5 year old gelding is being delivered in 2 weeks and I have major concerns about his feeding. The barn where he has been at for about 5 months feeds ONLY good quality alfalfa hay. At the barn where I board my BO gives Trotter feed morning and night with turn out and hay in the winter months.

My question is... I live in Central New Jersey and it is VERY HARD to find good alfalfa hay and when I do call a source the prices are off the charts.
Can I slowly introduce a bit of grain(perhaps one feeding a day) over the first few months? Is this too dangerous?

I like the idea of the horse not being attached to the grain as I see the other horses at my barn going bonkers at feeding time and becoming a bit barn sour. However, I am also very concerned about not being able to always find this hay.

Any suggestions? Please help!

[its.me.heather]

Can you get a hay that is an alfalfa mix? My horses all do fine on just hay. I have only used grain with pg/nursing mares. My ponies borderline on fat - my horses look just fine to me. I normally feed a hay that is 10-20% alfalfa mixed with a decent grass(es). I did feed mine pure alfalfa hay for a period of time and I guess I am just lucky but mine have no problem going back and forth from one hay to the next. I've never been cautious or mixed much to introduce - its whatever comes down from the loft...provided its not moldy or otherwise not acceptable hay for them.

What kind of hay is at your barn?

Here is a listing I found (I do not know this person and am not recommending them I just found the listing) seems to have a nice quality timothy/alfafa mix.. Maybe they could help... the price seemed fair.

Internet Hay Exchange
http://www.hayexchange.com/hay.htm

Hay Exchange - Banner Network

State/Province New Jersey City/County ! All Northeast Date Submitted: 1-29-2007 Type Timothy Type (notes) Certified Organic When Available
Quantity 2700 Bales Unit Size Small Square Binding Sissal Twine Price $3.00 & up/ Delivery available Yes Contact Name (315) 733-3760 Email Address Click Here Telephone # 315 525-7953 Best time to call Days Moisture=% CP%=11+ TDN=N/A RFV=N/A Comments:EXCELLENT QUALITY HORSE HAY, Clean & Green 40 to 50 lbs+/bale, 1ST & 2ND CUTS, Timothy Grass mix, Orchard, Alfalfa, too

Listing ID: evans1

Internet Hay Exchange
http://www.hayexchange.com/hay.htm

Hay Exchange - Banner Network

State/Province New Jersey City/County All Date Submitted: 6-18-2007 Type Alfalfa/Timothy Type (notes)
When Available
Quantity 20000 Bales Unit Size Small Square Binding Poly Twine Price $5.25/Small Square Bale Delivery available Yes Contact Name Kevin White 613-832-9302 Email Address Click Here Telephone # 613-296-9393 Best time to call Days Moisture=% CP%=N/A TDN=N/A RFV=N/A Comments:New Crop T&A and Alfalfa. No rain. Top quality. Ready to ship first of July. 45-50lbs per bale. Plus delivery

Listing ID: kamjw11



good luck... I hope he has a smooth transition to your barn.


Heather