Well-mine never have. We feed a little more OFTEN in the winter,but,we never have fed more grain to ours.They each get a big coffee can full and it's plenty.

Maybe because ours don't weigh that much,and it's not nearly as cold here.And like humans,doesn't their activity level figure in? Are they being worked or ridden daily as opposed to just standing around.(like ours do in the wintertime.)

Flaked barley can be ordered in by any feed store...

Barley grain looks similar to oat grain but is somewhat harder. Therefore, it is generally recommended that barley be crimped or rolled for horses. However, processing does not increase its feeding value for horses with good teeth. The fiber content of barley is higher than that of corn, milo, wheat, rice, and rye. Barley is intermediate between oats and corn in energy, fiber level, safety, and heat produced. It is more similar to corn in its density. Slightly less of its starch is digested in the small intestine as compared to corn. Good quality barley is a desirable cereal grain for horses. It can be fed as the only grain in the diet with no adverse effects. However, it is less palatable than oats or corn and is commonly used in a grain mix, basically you add a cup or two to the regular feed...its major advantage is energy without the heat of oats, so if your horse is not working, the barley will keep weight on, without making him hot...This is from my father and grandfather who initially farmed with horses.

Here's some data on beet pulp...

 http://shady-acres.com/susan/beetpulp.shtml

So how many people actually test their hay.  I know I have not. I look for a good quality hay and as long as my horses don't seem to loose weight, I'm happy.

I don't grain my horses.  (I will give a mare in her last trimester and while nursing some grain.)

I do occassionally give my horse soaked beet pulp on the coldest days.  Mostly to add the extra water to their diet.

I feed both timothy grass and alfalfa. During the winter I up the ratio of alfalfa. During the summer they get almost straight grass.

So if you test hay, What doyou have it tested for?  Calories, mineral content, fiber. 

As a horse owner for over 50 years, I have never blanketed a horse in the winter. Our horses have 3 sided shelters in 3 different areas of the fields. They have heated, automatic waters in 2 fields. Dividers in the shelters keep the top dog from keeping the end of the pecking order out. When it is a cold, freezing rain, or extremely windy, they are put in the barn at night. The vet tells me my horses are in "perfect" body condition (his words, not mine). I would quess they are between a 5/6 on the body mass scale. You can not see ribs, but can feel them if you press hard enough. High quality brome/timothy hay mix, and 1 quart of grain per horse once a day (steamed, crimped Canadian oats mixed with 12% sweet feed does the trick. No, I have never had the hay tested. I use my nose, hands and experience to determine quality. However, this works for me and our quarter horses. Other breeds, I am sure, have other needs. I appreciate the reminder that extreme temps do require more feed!

Just my 2 cents!

Brenda

Quality of hay isn't the only issue.Quality of FEED is just as important.

We've always fed hybrid grass hay and Nutrena Prime 12% feed.We feed once a day in the winter and our horses are strictly forage in the summer,grain rarely unless we are feeding a yearling then we will feed daily for 2 years.My horses have never lost weight,quiet the contrary.If I fed mine any different in the wintertime,I wouldn't be able to get a saddle on them in spring.I have a couple that are already pushing it from inactivity in the wintertime as it is.So what is workable and required for someone who has working or performance horses in a different part of the country won't work for us here,and vice versa.

Purina has a very good website with information based on their leadership in the equine nutrition business even if horse enthusiasts feed and prefer a different brand .Their website is http://www.purinamills.com/

If you were in Vermont you'd blanket them, especially when we go thru our deep freeze cycle that occurs every winter...2 weeks + or - a day where we never are above 0...

Paul,

We have ranch friends in Wyoming. Their large herd of horses do not have blankets, nor do they have man made shelter. Wyoming winters can be brutal, as with other Western states. Blanketing and shelter depends on the horse, it's owner, and natural shelter, not necessarily the state you live in, or weather conditions. I have personally walked through a friend's herd of well bred cutters in Alberta Providence, Canada, above Calgary, in August. It was sleeting. The horses did not have man made shelter. When I commented that one of the horses was shivering, I was told the horse would have to "get tough." I can only quess the weather in winter!

Take Care,

Brenda

Pretty much keep hay in front of them at all times.

I buy my hay in 3x4x8 bales. that weigh 1000lbs each.  I used to spend two evenings stacking  400 small bales in the shed.  Lots of sweat and sore muscles.  Now I unload the trailer with my skid loader and hay forks in about 30 minutes. It's a  little harder to feed a flake off the big bales than small bales.

What kind of impaction are you talking about? There is a few reasons for feed impactions including low quality hay, dehydration, and teeth, colic. If you really want to feed big round bales your best option would be to consult with a nutritionist or a vet. 

Since you are in Florida,I'm sure your water is not too cold for your horse.

I add mineral salts (loose) to my horse's feed in wintertime.Also in a pinch,I have added molasses or KoolAid to a bucket of water such as on a camp trip to entice my horse to drink strange water.You might try this.