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Hay Prices Cause Problems for Horse OwnersEquine rescue group taking in more horses than usualANCHORAGE - A group that rescues horses in Alaska said they are taking in a higher number of the animals than usual from people who can’t afford to feed them. In recent months the cost to feed horses in Alaska has gone up an estimated 20 percent, and one of the biggest factors is the price of hay. “I would say one horse that's fairly easy to keep might cost $200 a month to feed,” said Heather Robb of Alaska Equine Rescue. “Now, it's $250, so it's jumped quite a bit. If you have multiple horses, it’s a big bite out of your paycheck.” Robb said that’s simply for food. Boarding, vet checks and other items can push the costs up hundreds more. She said the rescue group has taken in seven horses in recent months, many a direct result of rising costs. Costs have gone up for several reasons. People who buy hay from the Lower 48, as Robb does, are paying more in fuel costs to ship it up. Droughts outside have pushed up prices for both hay and grain. Hay grown in Alaska is much cheaper, but subject to the weather, which this year was bad. “We lost over 200 acres of hay,” said Rick Gattis, one of the largest local growers of hay. Gattis said a third of his crops at Pt. MacKenzie were done in by wet weather. “It takes four or five days to get it dry, and if we can’t get it dry in a week and it extends into two weeks and beyond, then the hay starts to mold and it’s no longer horse-quality hay.” Gattis said his price hike has been moderate, mainly to cover costs associated with fertilizer which have risen drastically as well. The end result has horse owners paying more and the Alaska Equine Rescue Group keeping horses when they can’t. The group said the horses taken in will be up for permanent adoption once they are in better physical condition. Alaska Equine Rescue can also offer help for owners who are struggling so that they can keep their horses. You can find them at www.alaskaequinerescue.com. |
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Ak horsekeeper said on Thursday, Nov 29 at 9:11 PM
I have had a horse in Alaska for almost 40 years. If it is costing you over $200 to feed a horse for a month you are not trying very hard to find local hay, or are overfeeding. I had to look a long time this year, but finally found some and paid a relatively high $12 a bale for it, a really nice 2nd cutting even (rare). I have a bigger TB/QTR cross that is a hard keeper. I use a little over 1 bale of hay a week($60 a month) and about 1 50lb bag of crimped oats a month(about $11). So for a little over $100 a month I am feeding a hard keeper and he looks great. And he is 25 years old. No blankets even. Now if you want to add all the "old horse" joint management in there the cost goes up, but basic feed is not that high.
107942496Concerned said on Thursday, Nov 29 at 10:12 PM
So, doing the math, you're feeding approximately 8 pounds per DAY to a "hard keeper"? Is it a miniature??? I'd love to see a photo!!!!
107944515Jenny said on Thursday, Nov 29 at 10:21 PM
Really people!! Leave your rude opinions on this out!!!
107944821BP said on Thursday, Nov 29 at 11:52 PM
Yes Jenny...why are people so rude and crude? Keep your negative thoughts to yourself. This is a good story about good people doing good things. Keep it positive.
107946506vm said on Friday, Nov 30 at 5:14 AM
well, i got4 horses, and i buy local, and i only pay 85-90 bucks a 700pound bale, that last me around 10 days for 4 horses, so around 3 round bales a month give or take, so that is 270 dollars a month.....and we are in a fixed income....now if u buy out of state timothy then u are way overpaying. buy local!!!!!its just as good and u can actually afford to feed ur horses!!!
107955356Interested said on Friday, Nov 30 at 8:37 AM
I would be very interested in seeing pictures of horses that are fed like some say they are feeding? Give addresses so that AC can come check them out and verify that they are in fact healthy. Horses are expensive everywhere and there are ways to cut down on costs but I believe the story was a pretty accurate picture of real costs when you consider the climate the growing season etc. I am not suggesting anyone is not telling the truth about what they feed their horses just wonder if they know what a healthy horse looks like :)
107968725Concerned said on Friday, Nov 30 at 9:11 AM
I apologize if what I said came across as "rude", but it is concerning to me, considering that a horse should be consuming 2 to 2 1/2% of their body weight in hay per day, that a horse as old as 25 is only being fed half of that. That is, unless the diet is being supplemented with something else like a senior feed, although it didn't sound that way in the comment. So, doing the math, an average 1000 pound horse requires 20 to 25 pounds of hay per DAY. We can also get into hay testing, but I'm not going to even go there. BTW, I'm not suggesting our local hay is sub par-there's good local hay out there. Testing, however, allows owners to know exactly what they are feeding and if their animals are getting their daily requirements.
107971275907 Horse Chick said on Friday, Nov 30 at 3:16 PM
I have had horses up here for 20 yrs. Feed local hay and just for hay, I am running exactly as the article says, $200-250. $250 in the winter. This winter has been harsh. Thank you Channel 11 and Robb for bringing this to light!
107994946Traci Donahue said on Sunday, Dec 9 at 11:55 PM
This is a bit off the topic of horse but we are moving to Alaska and planning to use Straw Bale construction to build our home... now I am wonder about the cost ... what is the cost of a bale of straw?
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