Work4feeder, a division of MavRick Enterprises

03/03/2016

I had posted a schematic yesterday (see 2nd pic) on several suggested changes one could make to a stall/stable layout either as an owner or border. First let me state I don’t advocate stalls/stables for horse keep (quite the opposite) but we all know there are many similar facilities in the horse community. As such I wanted to offer suggestion that with little monetary expense and effort a stall/stable owner could make several changes they may benefit both owner and border, and especially the horses. I have added an addendum (see 1st pic) and offered Option B-2 for your consideration. Additionally I have been working on simplifying domestic equine care principles that one can use to measure against when determining changes to make in your horses care. It’s the M.A.N.A.G.E. principles (Maximize Authentic Naturally Activated Genetic Expression) sounds ominous, but it embraces very basic genetic understanding with some new findings (more on this later). And yes I am the designer of the WORK4FEEDER but regardless of what restrictive free-choice feeder you use the principles remain. I welcome your comments and suggestions. Rick Huffman

03/03/2016

01/22/2016

What and how you feed your horse can either increase or decrease his stress levels, and affect how his body functions. WHAT EXACTLY DOES “METABOLISM” ...

01/22/2016

It’s rapidly gaining in popularity, and no wonder. These tips will get you started and help you select the best slow feeder method for your ...

01/15/2016

Close...but Mistake #1 should be not offering 24/7 forage availability.

Here are seven of the most common horse feeding mistakes, and how to avoid them.

01/13/2016

http://www.extension.umn.edu/agriculture/horse/nutrition/effect-of-small-square-bale-feeder-design/

The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of initial bale moisture and plastic wrapping on mold formation in large-round bales of orchardgrass hay.

12/20/2015

Equine nutritionist Juliet Getty is a strong advocate for natural, free-choice feeding of horses. A common concern is that the horse will become overweight. Juliet addresses this concern in this ask-the-expert article.

12/10/2015

Check out our new video for the latest versions of WORK4FEEDERS
https://youtu.be/J3KxwJ6OrRw

The newest generation of the Work4feeder. The 'All-Arounder' and 'The Mongo'.

12/09/2015

12/09/2015

Add this to your collection of useful horse factoids that (surprise!) you actually needed to know: Horses don't have a gallbladder because horses are…

12/03/2015

For so many reasons, many traditional practices - such as housing horses in stalls or feeding 'meals' are just not appropriate for the biology of the species.

"The equine digestive system works very well for horses living in natural conditions—those walking and grazing for approximately 18 hours a day. It [the digestive system]doesn’t work as well when they’re more intensively managed: stabled for much of the day, with little turnout, and receiving most of their nutrients in one or two largely concentrate feedings." ~ North Carolina State University professor of equine surgery Anthony Blikslager, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVS, in an article for The Horse by D.J. Carey Lyons titled, 'Unwanted Impact,' (Dec 09, 2013)

11/18/2015

11/16/2015

I will be offering FREE (DIY) designs of equine related projects for your consideration and use from time to time. I’m currently drawing up easy to follow, easy to build, safe, cost-effective, feeder ports (several sizes) that can be utilized for various types of horse property. I have posted several pics of clients I have designed free-flow 24/7 turn-out property layout. See my web site for coming details and additional info. I also welcome your comment and suggestions.

11/11/2015

A tight white line (stratum lamellatum) in the hoof, like the one shown, will be present when the diet - which broadly includes EVERYTHING that goes inside the horse - is biologically appropriate for the species.

A stretched white line - resulting primarily from an unnatural diet and/or an overload of pharmaceuticals, and/or free access to many cultivated pasture grasses - is a symptom of some stage of laminitis (chronic, sub-clinical or acute). During laminitis, the "Lamellar Attachment Mechanism" fails to function properly and the hoof begins to separate from the horse and the resulting symptoms are often described as seedy toe or white line disease. While it is accurate that a secondary infection can easily occur when the LAM fails and the white line is open to the environment, the best course of action to rid the infection is not to 'cut it out' but to heal the hoof from the inside out. In extreme or severe cases where there is genuine evidence of infection, antibiotic therapy might may be indicated (necessary).

This left, hind hoof is getting ready to be trimmed. Because the horse lives in a Paddock Paradise, his environment and lifestyle are such that there is not a lot to trim but mostly minor adjustments, balancing and trimming areas of active wear.

Photo by Jill Willis.

11/11/2015

Do you give your veterinarian counsel proper scrutiny? I suggest you might consider the basic like how we feed and keep our domestic horses ...oh you know like horses. With 24/7 forage (tested) feed availability, with 24/7 turn-out. Then only supplement with no more, no less than what our forage lacks to meet nutritional needs. But then if horse owners did that...perhaps the medical practice of 'MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT' could be greatly reduced or heaven forbid even eliminated. Nothing personal against the medical profession but the only time I ever want to see them on a business level (i.e. my horses, animals, or myself) is due to a catastrophic event (and occasional vac due to law). Wouldn't it be great if the pursuit for prevention was as profitable as medical treatment!

11/09/2015

One of my peeves is when I visit stalls/stables and walk down the isle and gander at the horses kept there is I wonder if the owners see what I'm seeing. I have yet NOT to see a horse kept with the majority of his day to a stall environment without issues. I've come to understand that owners truly must not see it. I often say "when all you see and hear is crap then crap becomes the norm"! While it's easy to criticize I wanted to offer suggestions (see schematic) on how the 'barn owner/manager' may change operations. I welcome your comments and suggestions.

11/09/2015

Free Choice Minerals for Horses: written by holistic veterinarian, Dr. Joyce Harman.

10/27/2015

There are an endless number of reasons to create a Paddock Paradise Track System for your horses. Here's another perspective:

“If we expect horses to perform at a high level, either during competitions, or during general leisure riding…and if we expect them to be safe and easy going to handle and to ride, we must consider the quality of all those hours of the day and night when they are left by themselves, when we are not around”. ~ Prof. Jan Ladewig, Copenhagen University

"Current equine management practices may arise from erroneous information people have about horses, the horses social structure, and particularly the horse’s needs. Citing a Swiss study that found 83.5% of horses from 12 different riding schools were housed individually, Ladewig reported that some horse owners do not allow their horse to have group turnout, believing that injury is more likely in such settings.

"This belief is incongruent with the results of a study showing that horses in group turnout on pasture suffered no more injuries than horses housed individually in stalls.

"Presenting a photo of a single horse, rugged and stabled, with the caption ‘Housing horses in this way is not right!’ Ladewig noted that “Domestication has not removed the basic social, physiological and psychological needs of the horse, and some management and living conditions fail to meet these needs for horses. If we are really concerned about the welfare of riding horses we must get away from individual housing and change over to group housing”."

Read more about the professor's presentation on "What About the Other 23 Hours a Day?" at the 2013 ISES Conference

Photo by Jill Willis, Dec. 3, 2014

10/26/2015

Solo stabling can stress a horse.

10/21/2015

Big surprise here. Wanna handle and ride a temperamental crazy horse? Then keep feeding meals with high starch (part of overall NSC).

Increased vigilant behavior was correlated with intestinal microbial disturbances induced by a high-starch diet.

10/20/2015

Our web site has been up dated, come check it out! Also check out the "FREE Designs and Offerings" for the latest (once a month) free stuff. http://www.mavrick-usa.com/home.html

A company dedicated in designing and manufacturing unique equine related products with related services as to provide the best science based domestic equine care and management.

10/19/2015

Use this simple formula for estimating your horse's weight.

10/18/2015

http://hl.depaoloequineconcepts.com/?q=node%2F7

10/15/2015

Dr. Juliet Getty discusses the recommendations and requirements of vitamin E for horses.