I've pretty much got the new routine down, except for the hard feeds (the managers do that, which is probably good, since I don't recognise any of the feeds) Horses are fed either hay or haylage four times a day, and hard feeds at least twice- sometimes up to four for the ones that need it, plus a good amount of carrots at lunch time (ponies gotta get their veg!) So if you're counting, that means some horses are getting fed eight times a day.
In my opinion, this is how it SHOULD be for stabled horses. I don't know how many times I've answered the question "how much should I give my stabled/yarded horse to eat?' with "As much as they can eat." Roughage should NEVER be denied a horse. They are designed to eat constantly, and we all know the problems that can occur when they don't get enough (colic, ulcers etc.)
Haylage, however, is a new roughage for me. I'd heard of it, knew vaguely what it was, but had no idea it was different than normal hay. Haylage is basically hay that is wrapped immediately after cutting, so it retains a lot of moisture and much more of the nutrients in the grass. I believe this is a slight fermentation process, so the end product is an extremely soft, sweet hay.
I can't decide if I like the smell, or if it repulses me. Never smelt anything like it! The reason Contessa feeds haylage over hay is the increased nutrients. The horses don't get a huge amount of turnout, so they need something to fill the gap of the grass they are missing out on, without having to feed grain. Doubt it would work back home. We'd just have mould.
Speaking of turnout- still getting used to wearing a helmet while catching and releasing. Probably a good idea, since they tend to gallop off bucking, but it's never been a thing in Australia. Oh, and horses are only turned out with the same gender. Mares with mares , geldings with geldings, stallions obviously by themselves.
Stable bedding is straw with rubber matting. Straw to cut down costs (and to give the horses something to nibble on if they run out of haylage) and rubber matting to decrease the amount of bedding used.
I rather like the whole 1/4 bed idea. Makes cleaning really quick (although I reckon it would be even more quick if they used shavings). The horses seem very comfortable like this. From what I've seen, they lie down a lot more. The rubber must be nice and squishy.
Other than that, the only difference is the wheelbarrows- which are more like trolleys. I'm a big fan. Gotta get me a trolley.
Also the food here is really weird. I'm probably the least picky person ever, but I'm struggling to enjoy anything I eat. I thought England would be similar, but it's SO not. Everything is much more rich, salty and.... dark? tasting. I had a club sandwhich today. Almost didn't eat any of it. How can chicken, bacon, mayo and salad taste so different? Well it does. I didn't like it.
It also seems that no-one cooks properly here. The grocery store is mostly just canned and ready-meals, with over-ripe fruit and bruised vegies. I just wanted to make some Moroccan chicken and cous cous, but nope.
I'm going to go eat some stirfry out of a can now. Eurgh. Until tomorrow!
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