I have no idea how my sister’s horse learned the trick of eating thistles but no one else has ever learned or seems to know. He was one of a kind I guess.
I love how when horses eat thistles they pull their lips carefully out of the way and nibble with their long teeth. We had a horse who ate them years ago too - you reminded me! Thank you for that too!
Agreed. When I learned that about weeds (higher crude protein), I stopped being shy about giving the cows weeds to eat and encouraging them to broaden their diet. It took a bit at first to convince them what I was throwing into their pen was edible. Now they stand there waiting to see what I bringing and they are pretty willing to try new plants.
I was worried that eating weeds in a pen wouldn't translate into real weed control in the larger paddocks/pastures, but that worry has been put aside. Last year I turned them out with some 4 ft tall burdocks and they stripped each plant to the main stem.
I can't convince them to eat thistle (my sister had a horse that would - but the cows say no). But for the most part they do a great job. Unlike my horses that run around cherry-picking the best spots, the cows just put their heads down and eat which is also helpful.
Mine will eat all the weeds but thistles. How I wish they would eat thistles!!
I have no idea how my sister’s horse learned the trick of eating thistles but no one else has ever learned or seems to know. He was one of a kind I guess.
I love how when horses eat thistles they pull their lips carefully out of the way and nibble with their long teeth. We had a horse who ate them years ago too - you reminded me! Thank you for that too!
I friend has convinced me to test manure samples to determine what the cattle are eating, and the associated crude protein.
The forbs/weeds can have a higher crude protein than grasses. And they are getting varying minerals thru the forms.
Nature is amazing- we just need to work with her!
Agreed. When I learned that about weeds (higher crude protein), I stopped being shy about giving the cows weeds to eat and encouraging them to broaden their diet. It took a bit at first to convince them what I was throwing into their pen was edible. Now they stand there waiting to see what I bringing and they are pretty willing to try new plants.
I was worried that eating weeds in a pen wouldn't translate into real weed control in the larger paddocks/pastures, but that worry has been put aside. Last year I turned them out with some 4 ft tall burdocks and they stripped each plant to the main stem.
I can't convince them to eat thistle (my sister had a horse that would - but the cows say no). But for the most part they do a great job. Unlike my horses that run around cherry-picking the best spots, the cows just put their heads down and eat which is also helpful.