This message is from: Silja Knoll
I recently purchased two of these Porta Grazers. Initially I liked the idea
that the horses could move the tub all over the paddock and increase movement,
but then the Fjord learned how to get the insert out by tipping the tub over,
not on its side but on its top. This would cause the insert to fall out,
giving her full access to the hay. :(.. so I have chained the tub to a
post in her pen and now it seems to work the way it was intended.
The type of hay you use has a lot to do with how fast or slow they get the hay
through the holes. The stemmier it is the slower it comes out, to the point
where they can't get it out at all and give up. I figure it had to be pretty
impossible to get the hay out if it resulted in a Fjord giving up on
trying. But if you have 'easter basket' type hay (which I don't believe is
the best kind of hay for Fjords) then they get it out pretty easy.
My Paint gelding gets along with the grazer perfectly, the way it was
intended.
Overall I rate the Porta Grazers at a B-. I look forward to having it with us
when we go camping or they are confined in smaller areas to reduce boredom.
Silja
--- On Fri, 1/14/11, Lori Albrough wrote:
From: Lori Albrough
Subject: The Porta Grazer, also weight control discussions
To: fjordhorse@angus.mystery.com
Date: Friday, January 14, 2011, 12:32 PM
This message is from: Lori Albrough
On 1/14/11 12:15 PM, Mary Poe wrote:
> Goggle 'porta grazer' or go to www.Porta-grazer.com. Hope this helps.
Mary, I watched the video and this looks like a good way to feed hay! Very
interesting. I would be interested in hearing about the experiences of anyone
else who has tried them with Fjords.
On the subject of weight control, I believe exercise to be one of the most
important factors in the equation. I have never had to "starve" a Fjord horse,
even those that come in here morbidly obese. Perhaps this is because they are
worked five days a week.
Basic Pony Club rules apply to feeding Fjords, feed little and often (I feed
hay four times a day and concentrates twice a day) and ensure regular exercise
(which is simple in concept but I know can be difficult to implement with
everyone being so busy these days). Unlimited access to forage is not
generally going to work with a Fjord (with some exceptions.)
I think weight tapes are very good to monitor relative changes. Like any
testing method, consistency in timing and technique is important. Testing at
the same time of day and the same time relative to exercise and feeding
schedules will give a more realistic picture of progress. As well, be very
detail oriented as to where you place the tape and how much pressure you exert
and so forth. My belief based on comparing weight tape readings to scale
readings at OVC is the weight tape reads about 100 pounds (45 kg) lower than
actual.
My opinion is one of the best things you can do for your horse's health is to
keep them at a proper body condition (not too fat, not too thin). I like to
see a well developed musculature (remember, the more muscles you have the more
you can eat :) with "just enough" fat covering over top. With a Fjord they
should look rounded, not like the flat planes of muscle you might see in a
Thoroughbred.
Lori
-- Lori Albrough
Bluebird Lane Fjords
R.R.#3 Moorefield Ont Canada N0G 2K0
phone: 519-638-5598
email: l...@bluebirdlane.com
http://www.bluebirdlane.com
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