Idle Hour Stud

21/08/2024

04/04/2024

How's this for a visual you won't soon forgot? This is how much stomach acid a horse's body produces each day. Two standard buckets full.

Why does this matter? Your chosen feeding practices can have a direct impact on whether this stomach acid is beneficial to the horse's well-being, or not.

Horses produce saliva when they chew; the more the horse chews, the more saliva is produced. If horses have access to ad-lib forage (hay or pasture), they will produce two buckets of saliva each day. Saliva serves a few purposes in the digestion process, one of which is to help buffer stomach acid. On the other hand, horses who are fed set feedings, with imposed fasting in between, have greatly limited chew time. They can't produce this same volume of saliva.

The horse's stomach is relatively small, and only lined with a protective coating on the lower two-thirds. Excess and 'unemployed' acid can splash up onto the unprotected top third of an empty stomach, resulting in pain, ulcers, and psychological distress for the horse. Such discomfort is a common cause of aggression at feeding time.

Regardless of the amount of chew time a horse has each day, his body still produces these two buckets of stomach acid - 1.5 litres every hour, 24 hours a day. It is our responsibility as the horse's caretaker to maximize 'chew time', and feed the horse as they have evolved to eat.

What can you do to increase your horse's chew time, balancing out these buckets so-to-speak?

PS - If your horse has metabolic issues, consult with a qualified equine nutritionist to find a hay with an appropriate nutritional profile that can be consumed ad lib.

And watch how you carry those buckets!

07/03/2024

This type of horse will soon be available in Zimbabwe with the crossing of our Connemara stallion to Irish Draft mares. Watch this space!

30/01/2024

The excitement of a black dot. In this case HUGE celebration as this frozen semen pregnancy was achieved with 2 straws, both were split, and probably with only 1.25 straws ( about 0.45ml) of Argentinian polo pony semen we achieved pregnancy. A breeding dose is 6 straws (1.5ml) The owner now still has one complete straw that will be going into another mare.

15/01/2024

LAVENDER is a 3 yr old filly by Lathyros out of a Zalanna by Zeus. She clearly thinks she needs to peep on her neighbors .

09/01/2024

Deliciousness arriving at Idle Hour.
550 bales Lucerne mixed with panicum grass which is full of seed, HIGHLY nutritious and extremely palatable. Our warm bloods are now receiving 2 kg a day of concentrate feed , and 6 kg roughage / quarter of a bale ( this only, no hay)

08/01/2024

Idle Hour MIGHTY GALLANT pony foal c**t out of Gretel by Ashgar Mighty Knight. Connemara , Boerped cross. What a cracker

11/12/2023

Mighty Gallant by Ashgar Mighty Knight ( pure bred Connemara pony) out of Boerped cross Gretel, is growing into a gorgeous young c**t.

08/12/2023

ZILLION HEIR is now backed and safe in walk, trot and canter. Time for his flat work training and a bit of fun. He is by Zeus out of Arabella

06/12/2023

I received this message below. Anyone know who / what they are?

04/12/2023

ZILLION HEIR 4 yr old 16.3 hh gelding by Zeus out of Arabella / Armani
He is full brother to proven competitive horses Zenos and Zen Zula.
Backed and ready to start his new career. Much to look forward to next year.

28/11/2023

Idle Hour are thrilled to show off our second foal by Ashgar Mighty Knight - a pure bred Connemara pony stallion bred by Zena Penfold out of pony mare Gretel . This c**t is very well conformed and already showing off her athletic abilities in the paddock . Now named Mighty Gallant

16/11/2023

Idle Hour proudly announces the arrival of this gorgeous filly born 26 days early, and it was a rocky start.
She is by pure Connemara stallion Ashgar Mighty Knight standing at Idle Hour / Rhinestrom’s Mighty Man / Ashgar Katelyn out of Zalanna / Zeus ( ISH) / Glenagyle Rebel / Galanna ( Gratuity) Ashgar Connemara Pony Stud

14/11/2023

This gorgeous young pony c**t was born last night. He is by Ashgar Mighty Knight a pure bred Connemara 14.1 hh pony stallion bought by Idle Hour from Ashgar Connemara Pony Stud in SA. More pics to follow. Congratulations Theresa Rutter

07/11/2023

On November 13th, our last trip to Harare for 2023 will be departing from Joburg! 🐎 book your spot via:
☎️ +27828930308
📩 [email protected]

28/10/2023

Healthy happy ladies 🤍🤎🤍

24/10/2023

The first ZEUS pregnancy for 2023 season. The “old man” still has what it takes at 24 years old. This is wonderful news.

13/10/2023

The black dot that excites every breeder.
A clients mare tested in foal to STEINWAY today.