I know a bazillion people love feeding round bales because it's so much easier to keep the horses' weight up, and that for many horses it poses no problem, but...
This is subplot2's semi-annual reminder that that is how her horse developed COPD and now her horse has an expensive and irreversible respiratory condition. And while there's still not a scientific consensus on why some horses are affected and some aren't, you'd be doing subplot2 a favor and keep it in the back of your mind.
In many areas, hay is put into large round bales. These are very handy, especially if hay is the only ingredient in the diet and is fed free-choice. The problem with round bales, even if the hay is put up properly, is to prevent mold from developing during storage. If the round bales are placed on the ground, there usually is enough moisture on the bottom part of the bale to stimulate the development of mold. If round bales are to be fed to horses, they either should be stored on a dry floor under a roof, or should be wrapped with a protective covering.
If unprotected round bales are fed, it is wise to peel off the outer layer so that only green, leafy hay remains. A horse's eating habits can also cause potential COPD problems when round bales are fed. Some horses seem to literally burrow into a round bale, burying their noses in the hay in an effort to get at the tastiest morsels. In so doing, they inevitably inhale particles of dust and debris that can bring on--or at least exacerbate--COPD. Even the cleanest of hay can harbor some mold spores.
This is subplot2's semi-annual reminder that that is how her horse developed COPD and now her horse has an expensive and irreversible respiratory condition. And while there's still not a scientific consensus on why some horses are affected and some aren't, you'd be doing subplot2 a favor and keep it in the back of your mind.
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=133
In many areas, hay is put into large round bales. These are very handy, especially if hay is the only ingredient in the diet and is fed free-choice. The problem with round bales, even if the hay is put up properly, is to prevent mold from developing during storage. If the round bales are placed on the ground, there usually is enough moisture on the bottom part of the bale to stimulate the development of mold. If round bales are to be fed to horses, they either should be stored on a dry floor under a roof, or should be wrapped with a protective covering.
If unprotected round bales are fed, it is wise to peel off the outer layer so that only green, leafy hay remains. A horse's eating habits can also cause potential COPD problems when round bales are fed. Some horses seem to literally burrow into a round bale, burying their noses in the hay in an effort to get at the tastiest morsels. In so doing, they inevitably inhale particles of dust and debris that can bring on--or at least exacerbate--COPD. Even the cleanest of hay can harbor some mold spores.
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