Hay in floats
- Thread starter Flyfree
- Start date
GoneRama
Well-known Member
Depends upon how far you're travelling and what you're doing when you get there.
For trips of an hour or so I don't bother but any longer than that and yep, I don't mind giving them something to munch on although going to and from Darwin (3hrs) I never bothered with a haybag due to travelling through Kakadu National Park.
I did 6 days (3500ks) on the road with a horse back in June and about to do 6 days on the road (3700ks) with my big Thoroughbred. The first trip I gave the horse a hay bag and besides giving him something to munch on it also gave him a toy to play with when he got bored once we hit the smoother roads on the Barkly Highway (kept us rather amused seeing in the rear view mirror a horse twirling a haybag around and then cracking it when the hole was on the wrong side when he wanted a bite to eat
) . This trip I'll give my horse a haybag, it's just too long a trip not to give him something to nibble on.
For trips of an hour or so I don't bother but any longer than that and yep, I don't mind giving them something to munch on although going to and from Darwin (3hrs) I never bothered with a haybag due to travelling through Kakadu National Park.
I did 6 days (3500ks) on the road with a horse back in June and about to do 6 days on the road (3700ks) with my big Thoroughbred. The first trip I gave the horse a hay bag and besides giving him something to munch on it also gave him a toy to play with when he got bored once we hit the smoother roads on the Barkly Highway (kept us rather amused seeing in the rear view mirror a horse twirling a haybag around and then cracking it when the hole was on the wrong side when he wanted a bite to eat
) . This trip I'll give my horse a haybag, it's just too long a trip not to give him something to nibble on.
wattle6180
Well-known Member
I do ';' doesn't matter to me the distance, but I wouldn't lose any sleep if I didn't have a haynet in on a short trip.
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Eoroe
Well-known Member
Ditto ^^^^^^^^^^^ I dont care if my horse learn the road rule....I just want him to be chillaxed as possible on the trip.
Interesting note - I removed the side canvas panels this weekend as they were looking SOOOOOOO daggy. (im very vain of course - lol)
The horse was MUCH happer in the float. Was really pleased and looking around, wasnt interested in the hay at all....he normally attacks it like a trooper.
Interesting note - I removed the side canvas panels this weekend as they were looking SOOOOOOO daggy. (im very vain of course - lol)
The horse was MUCH happer in the float. Was really pleased and looking around, wasnt interested in the hay at all....he normally attacks it like a trooper.
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tollygunge
New Member
I know it sounds like such a cop out answer, but I think it depends on the horse. My guy doesn't usually touch his hay if I put it in, and is still chilled and hangs out nicely in the back.. though if I'm honest I haven't floated him more than 20-30 minutes **)
While I've only done it a couple of times, a mineral lick has also been something nice for him on our short trips. That saves a clean up afterwards as well
Having that said, I can completely understand some horses would need something to keep them occupied/chilled.
While I've only done it a couple of times, a mineral lick has also been something nice for him on our short trips. That saves a clean up afterwards as well
Having that said, I can completely understand some horses would need something to keep them occupied/chilled.
Lauren
Well-known Member
I don't mind.
If I know the two horses are very dominant over food I prefer not to (incase they fight).. If it's only a 2 minute trip I rarely bother.
Longer trips I put one in.. I think as long as they'll happily float with and without hay it doesn't matter.
I know some people who won't use it (for risk of choke)..
And some horses which are a PITA if they don't have a hay bag.
If I know the two horses are very dominant over food I prefer not to (incase they fight).. If it's only a 2 minute trip I rarely bother.
Longer trips I put one in.. I think as long as they'll happily float with and without hay it doesn't matter.
I know some people who won't use it (for risk of choke)..
And some horses which are a PITA if they don't have a hay bag.
Z
ZaZa
Guest
Mine always have a hay bag up front If they choose to eat it, well then good if not, it's their choice.
I agree with Eoroe about the 'chillaxing', particulary with my mare. I've learnt with her that whether or not she's eating is a good indicator of how stressed she's getting. I watch her through the floats front window and I know that if she stops eating, it means she's getting pretty wound up !
If they choose to eat it, well then good if not, it's their choice.I agree with Eoroe about the 'chillaxing', particulary with my mare. I've learnt with her that whether or not she's eating is a good indicator of how stressed she's getting. I watch her through the floats front window and I know that if she stops eating, it means she's getting pretty wound up !
Nicki
Active Member
I agree it does depend on the horse. I don't with my two, but I've never floated them with hay and so they don't know what they're missing. They both float well and are interested in looking out the window at their surroundings or having a chat with each other. If I was going longer than an hour I would probably put hay in, but haven't needed to yet.
Plus, no hay = less mess to clean up.
Plus, no hay = less mess to clean up.
kiraSpark
Well-known Member
In an open float or one with gaps at the sides I dont, because I worry about hay blowing around and getting in their eyes and just generally being not very pleasant for them.
In a standard, closed in float - I do for a long trip (3 hours plus), but I dont bother if its only a short trip (1 to 2 hours).
In the gooseneck, no one gets hay. We travel around a fair bit in the gooseneck and just stop for maybe 20 mins every 3 to 4 hours and let everyone off on the side of the road somewhere to have a bit of a pick of grass. They usually like to have a big piddle at this stage too (they are experienced travellers, they all hold on until we stop, then all 4 stretch out and have a wee together, very funny to see, 2 people on the side of the road holding 4 horses which are all having a piddle, lol)
In a standard, closed in float - I do for a long trip (3 hours plus), but I dont bother if its only a short trip (1 to 2 hours).
In the gooseneck, no one gets hay. We travel around a fair bit in the gooseneck and just stop for maybe 20 mins every 3 to 4 hours and let everyone off on the side of the road somewhere to have a bit of a pick of grass. They usually like to have a big piddle at this stage too (they are experienced travellers, they all hold on until we stop, then all 4 stretch out and have a wee together, very funny to see, 2 people on the side of the road holding 4 horses which are all having a piddle, lol)
GoneRama
Well-known Member
Leti loves Elmo
Well-known Member
I never feed in the float. They shouldnt need food for a float trip long or short. I like that mine dont need food to float. I know a few stories of horses choking as they didnt have access to water. We dont eat a meal without drinking to help it down. I know if i dont it feels horrible. Plus less mess *
*
Z
ZaZa
Guest
Mine all self load with or without food.
Having a hay net up front isn't the catalyst to them loading. It's the training they've had that makes that difference
Tallarook
Well-known Member
Mine all go on and off the float as i ask, if we are on an early morning trip i will often put a feed bag in there with the rest of their breaky, sometimes a hay bag sometimes not.
There are some people who say dont put feed in with them etc, they might get choke. if mine get choke and all die before the end of the trip - well that is just really bad luck!
There are some people who say dont put feed in with them etc, they might get choke. if mine get choke and all die before the end of the trip - well that is just really bad luck!
dirtbug
Well-known Member
its kinda like dummies for babies it all comes down to experiances people have had and personal choice...
if i remember mine get a hay net, sometimes they eat it sometimes they dont...
i could have all the treats in the world on my float but if billy aint gonna load, he aint gonna load LOL
if i remember mine get a hay net, sometimes they eat it sometimes they dont...
i could have all the treats in the world on my float but if billy aint gonna load, he aint gonna load LOL
Eoroe
Well-known Member
Mine are always full.......you've got no chance trying to bribe them onto a float - they are too well fed and clever for that
In reality...it is more of a habit of mine than a logical reason.
The choke reasoning - heck....my horses dont walk around with a bottle of water with them when grazing dry pasture in summer....having seen choke a number of times - Im pretty sure I would be aware of it if it happened, AND being on a float is the best place for them - Id head straight to the Vet **)
In reality...it is more of a habit of mine than a logical reason.
The choke reasoning - heck....my horses dont walk around with a bottle of water with them when grazing dry pasture in summer....having seen choke a number of times - Im pretty sure I would be aware of it if it happened, AND being on a float is the best place for them - Id head straight to the Vet **)
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