Did You Know??

Did you know that hay is the number 4 crop grown in the United States today?? Did you know the Mid-west is currently experiencing a drought which could drastically impact the hay produced in that area? This is not good news for those of us who own horses. The decrease in open land, and decrease in farming over the past generations will soon had a dramatic impact on those of us who care for/own horses. What can we do now to help lessen this impact? I know I have cleared more of my own land and planted two pastures. Theses pastures can produce between 200-225 bales of hay each year if we can get 2 good cuttings. I know that does not solve the growing problem, but it lessens things a bit. If everyone could use the land they currently have to its utmost potential, it will have an impact. Daily I pass fields which are mowed for "looks", not used as forage for horses which reside in the back sand lots. These are working farms, which have the acreage, but choose not to let the horses eat the grass. Why??? Is it too much work to acclimate the horses to fresh grass? Is it the poor fencing surrounding the grassed area? Why? If you are going to own or care for horses you need to accept the responsibility which goes with that task. Proper feed, care, and constant diligence goes along with caring for any animal not living in the wild. If you cannot accept these conditions, then do not take in horses.