SEPTEMBER 2019 THE RIDER/ 5 The Way of Horses: Storing Horse Feed


contamination. Horse owners are dis-


covering a trip to the feed store requires an armed guard. But once the edible


“gold” is safely transported to the stable, how is it pro- tected and stored? As with anything of


By Eleanor Blazer Copyright @ 2019


Storing Horse Feed Protect valuables from theft and


value, the chances of it being stolen is very high. In this case the thieves are usu- ally horses and rodents. Commercial


feeds, Ontario’s Horse


Industry Newspaper! P.O. Box 378,


Fonthill, ON L0S 1E0 (905) 387-1900


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grain and supplements must be stored in a secure loca- tion. A room, such as an extra stall, with a locking door is best. Within that room, storage containers with lids that can be locked or fastened securely should be provided. This double protection helps insure the thief will have trouble ac- cessing the treasure. Several types of con-


tainers are available. An old chest freezer with the latch removed (to insure a child does not become trapped) works well. Other popular containers are trash cans. Galvanized metal trash cans work best, as the steel also deters the other thieves – ro- dents (rats and mice). Secure containers will


also help prevent Equine Protozoal Myeloencephali- tis. Opossums, skunks and


raccoons may have the or- ganism which causes EPM in their feces. Horses may acquire EPM when they in- gest grain, forage or water contaminated with the feces. Regardless of the type


of container you choose the lid must fasten securely and be hard for a horse to re- move. There is always a chance the feed room door will be left open. Bungee cords may help secure the lid.


Extra bags of feed that


will not fit in the secure containers may be stacked on a platform a few inches above the ground. A wooden pallet works well. This allows air circulation around the bags. It is im- perative the feed room be securely closed at all times if exposed feed bags are stored. Feed should be pur-


chased fresh every 30 days and rotated. This means the containers


should be


cleaned completely and the oldest feed used first. High humidity can


cause spoilage and increase the chances of insects. Even feed stored in contain- ers is susceptible to mois- ture. If the containers are sweating or show signs of condensation, it is possible


the feed will spoil or be- come contaminated with in- sects.


Insuring proper


ventilation and setting up a fan will help. During the summer, when nights are cool and the days are hot and humid, purchasing and storing less feed at one time is smart. Stables with 20 or


more horses may consider buying feed in bulk. While this can be cost effective, you still do not want to store more than a month’s supply at a time. Clean the bulk bin out


completely before refilling. Poorly constructed bulk bins allow the buildup of moisture


resulting in


spoiled feed. This spoiled feed can hang-up on the sides and may break loose at any time – contaminating the feed and causing sick horses. No matter what type of


storage you chose the area must be kept clean. Spilled feed and broken bags will attract unwanted guests. When buying anything


of value, make sure you are buying quality. The feed should not be more than a month old. Do not be shy at the


feed store…you are the cus- tomer. Check the date and refuse it if it is old or does


not meet your expectations. Refuse dirty or damaged bags.


Date of manufacturing


will be stated on the feed tag, stamped on the bag, or printed on the tear strip along one end of the bag. Many companies use the Julian Date Calendar. For example the date code may read: 08121. The “08” is the year – 2008; the “121” is the 121st day of the year - May 1st. Even if the date of


Yor coplete equine soutios patne since 1987


manufacture meets your re- quirements refuse or return the feed if it seems ques- tionable. Horses can be their


own worst enemy. It is up to us to protect them from temptation.


* Earn Professional Certifi- cation as Horse Trainer, Sta- ble Manager or Riding Instructor. All courses are online. Visit www.equines- tudiesinstitute.org for infor- mation.


SystemEquine.com


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