My vet would tell you no, pellets do not do the same thing as cubes as quickly, easily and offer long stem forage the horse benefits most from.
I use alfalfa cubes....they soak for 2 - 3 hours then are fed....
The amount of time you refer to makes me think they are also fermenting, turning sour and if that not turn your horse off to eating them...just not going down that path. :frown_color:
You want them to soften faster, use warm/hot water, cuts time again to fast, fast, fast soak and feed.
Make sure they
are well soaked and there is enough liquid the horse isn't eating dry cubes as he eats them.
My horses also eats his cubes slowly so indeed he needs extra time in his stall to finish his ration.
I feed about 3 pounds dry, once wet they are heavy and near fill a 5 gallon flat-back pail to the top I soak with that much water {3/4 full to start}...
It is incredible how much water cubes can absorb...
I use a 6 gallon flat bottom, deep sided pan on the stall floor to feed my guy from...
He is able to work the food with his mouth, finishing every morsel.
My horse
is a very slow eater. Takes him about 45 minutes to lick that bucket clean of every piece and then some...clean as a whistle.
To me, there is no excuse for not allowing your horse to finish his ration before being put back out...
Flies, for goodness sake all it takes is to cover the bucket with a towel and flies can't get to the food...that is just gross and lazy on the barn workers. Shame on them.
Shame on them for not paying attention that the feed bin is not empty and just dumping on top of left over food..what if that contained medication/supplements your horse needs to be healthy...
Shame on them!!
Larvae...yea, think I would be having a serious discussion with barn management about what you've found.
Sadly, you probably dumped and cleaned the feed bin and now not have anything to present to that management to see what they suggest and can work with you about your valid concerns when you should of presented them with proof positive of the unfinished food and bugs...
I'm sorry but that is just gross and lazy on the part of the workers not paying attention to the animals needs...it also is a waste of your money throwing out those uneaten cubes. :frown_color:
Your horse is not benefiting as you think...think how much better it would be if he ate everything.
If you go to alfalfa hay will he have enough stall time to eat that completely?
And he still needs a regular ration of hay besides his alfalfa "extra" unless you are going to feed just alfalfa.
Please, please do not feed un-soaked cubes to your horse.
The risk of choke is huge as expansion starts as soon as cube and moisture, aka saliva, come together.
The throat is a long tube to have expansion take place in and risk is great for disaster....
Pellets also need time to soak thoroughly so still 30 - 45 minutes if you want to take away the choke factor feeding "dry" brings.
Maybe feeding alfalfa hay is the better way to go...but only a discussion with your barn manager is going to give you answers and a solution you all can work and live with.
Some things to think about...
:runninghorse2:...
jmo..