Archive for May 21st, 2008
« Previous EntriesUnderstanding More About Lucerne
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008Lucerne (Medicago sativa) is thought to have originated somewhere in north-western Iran and north-eastern Turkey. Varieties range from winter-dormant, through to winter-active lucerne.
Winter dormant lucerne has very fine stems producing the best quality hay, and is more forgiving in that it doesn’t decline as fast if cutting has to be delayed due to wet weather. […]
Prime vs Shedded Lucerne
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008Prime hay is the classification given to hay that has good green colour, plenty of intact leaf, and relatively fine soft stems. It may contain up to 10% of other plant material, such as grass, but should be free of prohibited weeds and mould, fungi, or weather damage. There is actually a grade above prime, […]
Practical Feeding Of Horses
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008When a horse is doing muscular work, its main requirement is a liberal supply of energy. Mineral and vitamin requirements for a working horse, however, are not much more than those required by an idle horse.
It should be noted, however, that brood mares require a good supply of protein, minerals and vitamins […]
Pasture Quality and Maturity
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.,” Ecc 3: 1 - 2.
In general pastures cycle through three distinct phases throughout the year. Phase I (initial or establishment phase) […]
Oxalate and “big head” disease in horses
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008The symptoms of “big head” disease (Osteodystrophia fibrosa) are affected gait, poor performance and swelling of bones of the head. Big head is a calcium imbalance caused when horses graze exclusively on grasses containing high levels of oxalate; that locks up calcium making it unabsorbable by the horse’s intestine.
Many introduced grasses contain oxalate. […]