Hello again!

Like a lot of areas, we're going to be getting some extreme cold temperatures here and I'm trying to get a game plan together the best I can. Buddy is refusing to eat the soaked Timothy Balance cubes, he went almost 2 days without eating basically anything rather than eat the cubes. So I've been soaking hay and he's eating it but not enough still, but with up to -30 windchills I'm concerned about him getting enough to eat and being able to soak the hay in the cold. I tried searching, but haven't found exact answers. I'm wondering at what point is it worth it to break down and give him the hay unsoaked? I have some first and second cut hay to choose from. I'm waiting on being able to borrow a hay probe still. Also, could I soak and drain a few days worth of hay in advance of these temperatures and store it in my garage? Or would it go bad somehow?

He's been doing a lot better for about a week now and I don't want to risk going backwards, but he also can't not eat. Blood test is scheduled for Thursday morning. I have multiple blankets and leg wraps ready for him.

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Brittany in Ohio 2022

Buddy Case History - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Brittany%20and%20Buddy

Buddy Photo Album - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=282333

Brittany, a couple of ideas for you. Have you tried giving him just soaked beet pulp? Beet pulp can substitute for a portion of the hay he is not eating. You want to get beet pulp without molasses, rinse it, soak it rinse it. I would use warm water in these temperatures as it will not only soak faster but if you serve it slightly warm, it might be more appealing to him. If you can get a jug of Uckele's Cocosoya( typically available at farm stores and TSC) and use a squirt of that on the beet pulp, it will provide a wonderful smell that almost all horses love. (smells like caramel corn). It's important to get water and fiber into Buddy.  I have two mares that will eat the cubes for about two days, then they start leaving more and more of them. I don't know why, I think it might be the minerals in the cubes, but most horses don't have a problem with them. But when they don't like them, it's very difficult to convince them to eat them.
I don't know for certain where you are in Ohio, are you in Claremont County near Cincinatti? You might be able to get Equal Balance chopped forage, which is from North Dakota and is distributed by Kalmbach feeds in Upper Sandusky, the makers of Tribute feeds. It has tested at 10% S/S for several posters here and the company claims that it is no more than 10%, but it is not guaranteed like the cubes. I use it as a fill in for hay and as a reward/treat when they come in from turnout. Lovely stuff chopped timothy and orchard grass hay with some vit/min added in small amounts in pellets. They love that. It's worth a try.  Any Tribute dealer should have it.
I agree with trying to keep him filled with forage during these extreme weather temps the next few days. We are getting it here in Michigan starting Thursday AM and then it heads your way. The forecast is so bad that we have cancelled our Christmas visit in Ohio with family, as I don't want to leave my horse sitter dealing with 6-10 inches of snow here and temps/wind and us driving on ice on US 23 S. If you try to find alternative feeds like what is listed above, I would do it asap.
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Dawn Wagstaff and Tipperary   

Saline, MI  2003

Tipperary Case History

Juniper Case history: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Dawn%20and%20Juniper/Case%20history%20Juniper.pdf .

Thank you for the ideas! I really appreciate it. Yes, I am in Clermont County actually. I have been giving him rinsed/soaked/rinsed beet pulp recently, but he won't touch it plain. I was adding half a pound to a pound of Timothy pellets in to flavor it, but I know those aren't guaranteed to be safe. I'll try the Cocosoya, I didn't realize it was a safe option. And I have a Tribute dealer near me so I will check with them about that chopped hay tomorrow, too! He must be the world's pickiest and most stubborn horse lol.

I'm sorry to hear you have to cancel your plans for Christmas, but I understand. I've already been making all of my plans around making sure I stay close during this weather for the next several days. Wish it would just dissipate or something!


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Brittany in Ohio 2022

Buddy Case History - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Brittany%20and%20Buddy

Buddy Photo Album - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=282333

When Josie stopped eating her cubes last Fall, I added some Stabul 1 to them and she loved it.  I kept switching the flavors, figuring she was sick of the cubes.  

Helen, Josie and Kyra
May 2016
Brunswick, VT, USA
Case Histories: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Helen%20and%20Josie 
Josie's Photos: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=22630 
Kyra's Photos: https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=1370

I'm not sure if I can get Stabul 1 in time for the cold weather, but I'll look into that, too. Thanks!

Does anyone know how long soaked and drained hay would stay good/safe to eat though? Would help out a ton if I could go ahead and soak and drain a few days worth today or tomorrow and have it ready. I feel like it shouldn't mold with it being that cold, right?


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Brittany in Ohio 2022

Buddy Case History - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Brittany%20and%20Buddy

Buddy Photo Album - https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=282333

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Ferne Fedeli  Magic & Jack   2007

Point Arena, Mendocino County, California
Case History

 

 

Hi Brittany...With the temps being so low, in your area - soaked and drained bags should be fine for a couple of days.. especially in a garage were the temp is cold...I would think it would be fine. You could also soak a small amount and hang it in your garage for a few days and see what you think...but I think it would be just fine...just icey :) 
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Trisha DePietro
Aug 2018
NH
Primary Responder
Dolly and Hope's Case Histories
Dolly's Photos 
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