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Barnyard Buddies:  Oh, The Strange Things A Horse Will Eat!  |
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Brandy Patricia
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
Brandy
Sarasota
Florida
USA
57 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 06 2010 : 12:33:35 PM
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Today, when I walked back to the office from lunch (I walk across the pasture from my house the farm office) I observed our horse Goldie (a 5 year old mare, typical teenager) being shooed out of the squash field because someone left the gate open and she just KNEW she wasn't supposed to be in there. Anyway, she's shooed out by one of the workers, and sees me, and promptly trots right up to the office door (see picture, yeah she's sticking her tongue out at me)expecting her usual handout of carrots or leftover fruit I have lying around. Well no handouts today I had my hands full of a space heater and coffee grounds and filters from the house. So I tell her I'm sorry and I shut the door. A few minutes later I'm working on the coffee pot (which is next to the back door)phone rings I leave the coffee unattended and someone walks in the back door and leaves it open. Bad idea. I turn around, and there's Goldie, half-way in the back door with a mouthful of coffee filters!
She always is a naughty girl, but today she was extra naughty because she was upset that yet again, she didn't get to go push cows with the big boys. So she sneaks in the squash field and eats coffee filters for revenge! I love her though, she makes me laugh. Oh and by the way, feeding your horse or cow coffee grounds is great for getting rid of worms. The guest that walked in the back door (another farmer/rancher) told me this, reliable information, so give it a try.
Well anyway, I was just wondering if any of ya'll's horses have strange eating habits too. What's the weirdest thing you've seen one eat?
--Brandy Patricia
http://lifesaditchwhenyoureadirtdigger.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - Brandy Patricia on Dec 06 2010 6:53:27 PM |
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hwright95
True Blue Farmgirl
90 Posts
Heather
Murfreesboro
TN
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - Dec 06 2010 : 6:27:07 PM
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lol what a cute pic, one of our horses Tater loves pretzels, not as strange as coffee grounds! those are for the compost lol
Heather Wright~ Farmgirl Sister #2187 Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers. ~Veronica A. Shoffstall
www.vintagekarmajewels.com |
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thehatlady
Farmgirl in Training
47 Posts
Lola
Doniphan
Missouri
USA
47 Posts |
Posted - Dec 06 2010 : 7:22:21 PM
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Have three horses here I call them mine but they really belong to the neighbor, but when he is around I call them 'our's' LOL I throw them day old bread every morning. They also love snack crackers, although Digger likes his to be hand fed. Blue Jeans born march 6 doesn't think she can eat it off the ground she has to be hand fed. John says I have everything on the place spoiled, they are not spoiled just loved. I remember when he got Digger, he said 'Lola I got a horse' I ask him what kind? he told me a quarter horse and I said 'If I was you I'd have gotten the whole horse.' He told me no I didn't understand it was a quarter horse, and I told him again I'd have gotten the whole horse. He ended up telling me I was sick. I still think of this often and laugh til I almost cry I still think it is funny. John though had some strokes a few years back and is not able to work them like he did so he ask me if I would take care of them, so I do feed them bread of a morning and grain at night, John does put the hay out for them this year.I did that for a couple of years, but last years went in town to stay with his mom, she had Alzhimers, she passed away the end of May and I've only been back for a short time. But I do love my big babies, they come from where ever they are when I whistle for them. Have a great evening give Goldie a hug around the neck for me. Lola
Every day, in every way, I become better and better. |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2010 : 02:33:09 AM
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My daughter has always shared her lunch with her mare. I remember being at a workshop and a gentleman came up and asked me if my daughter just fed her horse a bit of PB & J sandwich and I said, "Probably." He walked away shaking his head.
but the weirdest thing is the annual gingerbread houses that the horses devour after the holidays. We set out the entire "village" on the cardboard and they bend down and get a big ol" bite of the house and crunch! They really love it. They are fiends for candy so this is a huge treat.
Marianne |
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rough start farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
3331 Posts
marianne
The Beautiful Pacific NW
Washington State
USA
3331 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2010 : 02:37:46 AM
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Oh and I forgot how fun it is to watch them eat watermelon rinds . . . slurp!
Marianne |
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missusprim
True Blue Farmgirl
400 Posts
Karen
Fostoria
Ohio
USA
400 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2010 : 06:55:53 AM
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And this is one of the reasons that I SOOOO love this site! The pics of our animal friends are adorable as heck, and so fun to look at. Am sure my daughter will get a hoot out of it, too.
How lucky you are to be around those big gentle beasts! I know of a couple who have the back of their house as part of the horse's pasture - so that the horses can come right up to their back deck and 'chat' with them and the girls. It's just so neat!
But thanks for the smiles this morning! |
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gypsy goat
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
mary jo
michigan
673 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2010 : 07:23:10 AM
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what a beautiful horse and a cute story! they really are quite the characters,they bring so much joy to your life if you let them!
farmgirl#1362 whatever you are be a good one-abe lincoln |
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vegetarian farmer
True Blue Farmgirl
249 Posts
Jane
Freedom
pa
USA
249 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2010 : 08:31:14 AM
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I used to work with a horse that would eat anything, and I mean anything. One time a girl was in the stable eating a hot dog and sure enough Bubba reached out and grabbed it. I have never seen a horse eat meat.Bubba was a bit chubby and was always on a special diet. See diets make you eat weird things everytime.
http://hardworkhomestead.blogspot.com/ |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
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Brandy Patricia
True Blue Farmgirl
57 Posts
Brandy
Sarasota
Florida
USA
57 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2010 : 10:48:58 AM
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Miss Marianne, I thought you would like this picture. This watermelon season we had a surplus of melons after Memorial Day and we had to dump them. It was a loss for the farm but the cattle and horses were in heaven (and the wild hogs, I once saw a family of 27 hogs on one pile). It was so cute to see all the horses faces stained bright pink with watermelon juice!
Miss Lola, I laughed pretty hard at your remark too!
http://lifesaditchwhenyoureadirtdigger.blogspot.com/ |
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TJinMT
True Blue Farmgirl
211 Posts
TJ
Billings
MT
USA
211 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2010 : 11:34:47 AM
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I've got a chunky bay gelding named Bubas Pepper - foundation QH - and he just loves graham crackers! We usually have them in the car because of the kids. Heck, he'll eat anything if it has even a faint hint of sugar or salt!
My first horse was a BLM mustang I adopted and named Montana Sky (before I lived in Montana). He was also a chunky bay. Hmm, I must have a preference. Anyway, he was boarded, and on the way out to see him I'd always stop at 7-11 and get a Super Big Gulp of Diet Coke for me, and a roll of Sweetarts to share. I ate the red, orange and blue ones, and he ate the rest. He was wild when I adopted him, but we sure bonded over our treats!!
~TJ of Green Willow Place
www.MyWesternHome.wordpress.com
"I wanna write my blog, and live my life, beneath these Western Skies..." (with apologies to Chris LeDoux! smile!) |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2010 : 11:48:27 AM
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Watermelon and canteloupe--how the horses love them. And to see the juice running down their chins---I just chuckle thinking about it.
Neat picture Brandy. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2010 : 12:20:08 PM
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I love this thread!
Brandy, you have a beautiful horse!
Hugs,
Hannah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Lifes not about the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.
Just a small town country girl, farmgirl,loggergirl, trying to live her dreams. :)
P.s. I've been playing around with the spelling of my name ( weird I know) and I've decided that I will stick with Hannah for good. Sorry I got you all confused. Hugs!! |
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traildancer
True Blue Farmgirl
485 Posts
Loyce
Glide
OR
USA
485 Posts |
Posted - Dec 07 2010 : 7:07:06 PM
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Growing up in Alaska, I had a horse that would eat cantaloupe rinds. You're right, it's funny to see them slobber over those rinds! We also fed our horses leftover pancakes.
So I was surprised that the horses I have now don't eat bread. They love apples and carrots. And, would you believe it, Good and Plenty candies?!! I've also heard that horses like peppermint. My daughter's horse likes poptarts.
The trail is the thing.... Louis L'Amour |
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lilangelacres
Farmgirl in Training
18 Posts
Leslie
Newton
Iowa
USA
18 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2010 : 04:53:11 AM
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We buy candy canes for the horses every Christmas. I take them down one every night and split it between the five horses (4 minis and a QH gelding) They love them. Also our chickens and ducks are loose during the day and when I take them any veggies or fruits in the summer the horses always come running. It is funny to see the horses and chickens trying to eat everything before the others get it all:)
Leslie
Ah Farm Life - Wouldn't want to be anywhere else! |
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Huckelberrywine
True Blue Farmgirl
1607 Posts
Michelle
Rosalia
1607 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2010 : 12:18:32 PM
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Love the picture of the horse at the door! Too funny
We make a difference. |
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missusprim
True Blue Farmgirl
400 Posts
Karen
Fostoria
Ohio
USA
400 Posts |
Posted - Dec 08 2010 : 3:55:53 PM
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My DH, after viewing your pic, thought that it'd be neat to add the following as a caption:
"Hi, I'm with the National Horse Lover's Association and we're going door to door selling carrot cakes to help our cause - how many can I put you down for?"
He had an old Morgan mare named Misty Blue that he would give custard filled dougnuts on special occasions. She loved them and he'd get a good laugh out of watching her lick her chops long afterward to get all that custard out of her mouth.
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Barnyard Buddies: Oh, The Strange Things A Horse Will Eat! |
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Oh, The Strange Things A Horse Will Eat!
