I agree, it's just not healthy to feed a horse once a day. Horses are natural grazers and are "built" to eat constantly. In addition, non-performance horses need to consume approximately 1.5% to 2% of their body weight in feed per day - an average horse (1,000 lbs.) needs about 16,000 calories a day. If he is feeding hay and grain, the hay should be about 12 lbs. per day and the grain about 5 lbs. per day.

I don't believe I have ever seen one for horses, but is there such a thing as a feed container with a timer on it? I have one for my cats that you set a timer for the lid to pop open so the cats get their food. It works great if you are going out of town or will be gone all day. If you could find one that would release a ration of grain at say 8:00 every morning, then your friend could go out there in the afternoon and give the horse his second feeding. The horse really needs a ton of hay, too......about a 1/2 bale per day.

Another thought......is there anyone else at the barn that he could work out a trade with? Maybe he could feed his horses and theirs in the evenings and they could feed their horses and his in the mornings. It would be worth exploring and would certainly be much healthier for the horse.

If gas prices are "killing him", then maybe he should sell the horse or lease it out to someone with a little more common sense. I know, I know not everyone who boards, can have available turnout time for their horse and have things be perfect. To stall a horse, "23/7", is pure torture, IMO. Not only physically unhealthy, but psychologically unhealthy for horses. Cribbing, stall weaving, windsucking, etc. will soon become the cure for this horse's boredom. In my opinion, again, "extremely cheap" people have no right to own a horse. Horses are not cheap to own, to care for and to maintain.  Have your friend look into another situation that will not only suit him but his horse as well. This would only be better for both of them in the long run.

Why is your friend so willing to welcome any negative or positive comments? Get a clue here!

I have a friend that stalls 24/7 at the fairgrounds, but they ride daily and feed twice a day. Horses, in my opinion were not meant to be locked in a stall all the time. if I couldn't keep my horses on at least dry lots with round bales and feeding grain twice a day I wouldn't keep them anymore.

As for timed feeders I swear i saw them at the horse fair. Kinda expensive if I recall, but maybe cheaper than fuel in the long run. So who fills the water for this guy? Cause 5 gallons a day won't normally cut it.

I agree----- If you love and respect the horse SELL IT or move it closer to you so you can spend time with it. I used to board my horse 20 minutes away when we lived in a subdivision. It almost killed me and he had free access to pasture.I still deal with some of the bad habits from not spending the time with him that I needed too. They really aren't a part-time thing.Best of luck.

Timed release feeders are his only choice.  If he is that cheap I pray his horse never gets hurt...it'll be the old you want me to shoot $200 worth of X-rays only to spent $500 on surgery, well how much would it cost to put him down...$50, let's do that!

He better never have kids!

ive never seen a $50.00 bullet.  is that really what a vet charges?

My vet put my last horse down for free but it cost $50 to get a back-hoe in to dig the hole.  It'll cost me another $50 to put his favorite tree on top of him this spring...I had to let his grave settle so the tree wouldn't sink into a hole like it did on my POA.  I put a really nice tree on my app and now all the horses at the vet's office stand around and sleep under it!

Shooting a horse in the head is way too violent for me...but chadsalt I hope noone that owns a horse would be able to do that.

Around here people will pay to come and pick up the body, I think around $150.  Some vet's just pocket this and then charge a fee to the customer as well.

Huntseat ... A bullet is quicker than the needle.  I've read of a horse thrashing as he fought the drugs.  (Equus)  I held my old dog as the drugs worked. I felt his struggle as the solution went into his vein. 

Done properly, A bullet acts faster.  The key is properly. (Between the eyes is NOT.)

Doing the final act is just another part of the responsibility, one accepts as part of animal ownership and care. 

Our first horse taught me everything I know about horses; riding, feeding, care and the final act. I hope everybody is willing if not able to care for their animals. 

The friend of the OP doesn't seem to understand a horse isn't a motorcycle to be stored until use.

Sorry,

I could never shoot my horse.  It might be quicker, I don't know, and I don't want to find out.    Hosspuller, you go for it.  I've had to have two horses put to sleep.  It was peaceful, which works for me.  The cost is not a factor. 

I thought this discussion was about this poor individual that could only afford to take the time and gas to feed his horse once a day. 

damn hosspuller something else we agree on.

originally i was curious as to the fee and the bullet remark was somewhat of a smartass comment.  i would be really hacked off if my vet, that took care of that animal, charged me for a few dollars of drugs to end its suffering. that being said i will never find out.

this is of course only my opinion, growing up on a farm around animals and guns, ive had the unfortunate experiance of putting down all sorts of animals. it is not pleasant however, however it is MY responsability. now im certainly not saying everyone should buy a gun when the time comes, most people are not mentally or physically able to put down an animal PROPERLY. and like hosspuller said, hot lead at 700mph, in capable hands, is for all intents and puposes immediate. drugs are not. i owe the animal the best i can give, and in my opinion that is the bullet.

a few years ago my wife had to have her little lap dog of 10 years put down. she couldnt bear the though of me doing it with a gun so he ended up at the vet.  after she watched as he was prepped and given the injection, (out rather excesslively large syringe in my opinion.) he did just sort of lay down in her arms, but it was obvious he was somewhat uncomfortable. i was informed after the grieving that i would be responsable for all future "ending of suffering".

 Yeah... the discussion has veered somewhat.  All good respectful discussions reach further than the first posting.  That said: 

"...The friend of the OP doesn't seem to understand a horse isn't a motorcycle to be stored until use..."

Perhaps we should ask why the friend wants or has to keep the horse in a stall for 23 hours a day.

Chadsalt,

"  i would be really hacked off if my vet, that took care of that animal, charged me for a few dollars of drugs to end its suffering. that being said i will never find out. "

What do you do for a living?

So what you are saying is that you think a doctor of veterinarian medicine should charge you nothing for his services to peacefully end the life of your animal? You think euthanasia solution is free? Do you have any idea how much a bottle of euthanasia solution costs to buy? Do you think the fuel is free for the vehicle the veterinarian uses to drive to your home or to his place of work each and every day? Do you think his time is free, his knowledge, his professionalism and his 8 years in veterinary school so he can be the  best at helping animals that have no say in the matter?

"and like hosspuller said, hot lead at 700mph, in capable hands, is for all intents and puposes immediate. drugs are not. i owe the animal the best i can give, and in my opinion that is the bullet."

Drugs are not capable of being immediate? How so? What happens when you get a bad shot and you have a frickin' bloody mess and your horse is thrashing around? Have you ever experienced a horse being humanely euthanized? You owe your animal the best you can give by giving them the bullet? Unbelievable your mindset.

If you feel a $1 bullet shot into the head of the animal you love is the best way for you to end the suffering to this animal then go for it. But don't think for  minute that a veterinarian is going to charge you a few dollars to euthanize your animal.

Chadsalt -

Somehow I think you get your jollies out of seeing what type of emotional responses your posts get.  I don't believe for one minute your wife had her dog euthanized by a vet and due to the horrible experience now wants you to shoot the rest of the animals.   But whatever makes your boat float.  I think in today's world you and hosspuller are in the minority.