Food for horses?

[rebel_chick]

So I have been thinking tremedously about what my horses would eat if we had to just go and survive. There isn't much grass around here. And can't really pack a bale of hay on to his back...so, what do you all think? I am in central AZ. Basically we have, mesquite trees, little bit of iron wood, greasewood (or creosote) and some misc. bushes. I have been told ironwood bark is good for them. Anyone with any ideas?

[Sarge47]

R.C., since you already live in Az. you might be interested in the following. If your BF has books on survival see if he's got one titled: "98,6 Degrees. The Art of Keeping Your A*s Alive." by Cody Lundin.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b?...rees&x=27&y=21 (I also have several of the other titles shown here, great stuff!)

It has a lot of good info, however, Cody also lives in your neck of the woods: Presscott Arizona. He runs a survival school down there called "Aboriginal Living Skills School" there. He would know if anybody would.
Finally, check out some other info on Cody at my blog, here.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...blog.php?b=120

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...blog.php?b=119

Enjoy!

[rebel_chick]

Cool thanks, Lots of his book have unfortunatly been lost in all the moving he has done. i will look that up thanks!

[SARKY]

What kind of horses do you have?

[Sourdough]

Why not think in terms of what do you both eat, and have lots of that. Oats.

[rebel_chick]

Uh, as of right now I have 2 arabians, and 2 paints. I had said that I have 3 in my intro but the one filly is at my dad's at the moment. SO I only have 3 here with me.

And, oats would be great, except a horse nor me can really live off oats. A horse has to have around 30-40 lbs of hay a day, depending on their size. That is what worries me. I was really trying to find out something I don't have to take along with me.

[crashdive123]

RC - What sort of thing (s) do you envision causing you to have to leave? The reason I ask - if you have a realistic idea of what may cause you to leave, then you can plan on a location to do it. Once you're done that, then look for or store resources in that area. In you planning are you leaving on horseback, or trailering them?

[pocomoonskyeyes]

I too have horses and am more concerned on long term survival foods for horses especially in the winter. I know that certain inner barks like cottonwood are edible for horses,but does anyone know of others.
BTW I have Paints as well,Tob's and solids.

[SARKY]

Think about this, Find places along your line of travel and plant native plants that the horses can eat. Sort of what a good fish and game department does for the deer population.

[SARKY]

I had quarter horses and an App.

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

You probably buy round or square bales as me and the wife do. We have to go pick them up. Even if your planning on bugging in after a disaster it could be impossible to get hay. We have three horses and a mini jackass. I have thought about the same problem. We are in the south so best thing for me is get our whole place fenced in and the horses would have 7 acres to graze. You have a tougher problem in Arizona. Maybe you could plant some more pasture?

[Sarge47]

This may sound a bit cold hearted, but remember, even a horse can become food in the worst-case scenario! Beats eating dead people!

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

In the news I read of some horse owners already turning their horses out to fend for themselves. One owner even cut his brand from the live horses hide. This is a bigger problem then it seems on the surface!

[COWBOYSURVIVAL]

Don't forget your horses each need 25 gallons of water per day.

[Sourdough]

If things got bad, My plan is to EAT my best friend, my Wonder'Dog, and then eat his 200 pounds of dog food.......

[pocomoonskyeyes]

You know I don't think I would mind eating my horse IF it came to that. But horses are a part of my bug out plan.Transportation, hunting, work, could all be easier with a horse. Horses can go someplaces other transportation methods can't. If power grids fail it could be easier to get grass than gas. Transporting large or bulky items in remote areas would be easier with a horse using either; wagon,travois,or pack saddle (regular saddle in an emergency).
Hunting would be easier, animals are not as afraid of mans scent when accompanied by horse scent. The closest I have ever been to a wild turkey was from horseback.
Some of the food plots planted for deer would work just fine but a horse eats a Lot more so planting one would have to be larger as well. Being from the east I don't know if these would be of benefit to RebelChick or not in the west. I've often wondered where would be the best place to be if everything "went South"?
Still I'm wondering what, besides the inner bark of cottonwood trees would work in a survival situation
I'm kinda' surprised there aren't more here with horses.Lord knows they're cheap enough now.

[rebel_chick]

Yes, people are turning their horses loose. We found one that was caught in a cattle guard. We had to put her down.

As for eating the horse, o that would probably be the worst case scenario. You will die quicker without a horse under you. They are carry you farther withour dehydrating youself, animals that hear a 4 beat walk rather than a 2 from a human are less likely to run away before you can shoot them. Now if it truly got to that point, the horse probably wouldn't live anyway and the thought has run through my mind, but not if I can help it. Several of my horses that I have had were free or pretty close to it. People can not afford them now.

Currently, we only have like a acre for the horses. We will eventually grow grass, but I was thinking about if we had to get outta town. What are the wild edibles for the horses. And I didn't figure there would be to many with horses on here as the horse people tend to stick together on their horse forums, talk about drama. Anyway, I figured somebody would have some idea's of what kind of stuff they can survive on.

Well, my dogs not only are my best friends, they hunt for me, protect me, alert me, I need them as well. Their senses are far better than any humans. They are quite useful to me, now the cats, hmmm...they are outta luck and out on their own, they are useless.

As for water, we have scouted out several places along the way where there are natural springs, ponds, lakes, etc. I was really just wondering about food for the horses.

[crashdive123]

We've got plenty of horses a**** on here - wait - you said horses.....never mind.

[Sarge47]

now the cats, hmmm...they are outta luck and out on their own, they are useless.

Hey, cats make tasty survival food as well, just ask the Chinese, the Viet Nameese, etc...

[pocomoonskyeyes]

Well the both of you are just way too funny!!! at least I know you would be optimistic in a survival situation. Hey let's face it meat is meat when you are hungry. but agree w/RebelChick why waste a good survival tool unless you have to. Hey RC would alfalfa work planted around those watering holes? it's hard to beat for horses and deer hunters plant it on food plots to attract deer.