NUTRITION

We take equine nutrition seriously. Nutrition plays a major role in your horse's health, performance and overall well-being.

Clean, fresh water is the most important nutrient! Inside water buckets are cleaned daily to prevent bacterial growth and potential digestive upset. Outside buckets are dumped daily and cleaned twice per week.

Forage is an important and major part of the equine diet. Course Brook forages are cut on the farm and from nearby fields.  Growth of the fields are carefully watched to be cut at the optimum time, weather permitting. Resulting hay production is analyzed by Cornell University laboratory, Ithaca, NY and results are e-mailed to Poulin Grain. First and second cut hays are fed, depending on the needs of the horse.  As of March 5th, only second cut hay will be fed until we start cutting again in May. Feed times are 6:00, 7:30, 11:00, 2:00, 5:00 and 9:00.  Hay is fed at 1.5-2% of the horse's body weight. Hay is supplied before grain in the morning, while horses are turned out, in the stalls after turnout and again at night barn check.  Forage first!

Each equine diet is individually created, monitored and updated using Performance Horse Nutrition Equi-Balance software.  Poulin Grain, Inc. is our consultant in developing each ration.  Each horse's individual information is used to develop their ration. Name, age, weight, body condition score and level of exercise, as well as any medical condition are used with the appropriate forage to develop the ration. As body condition, level of exercise or medical conditions change, rations are adjusted.

COURSE BROOK FARM DAILY BARN KEEPING

We at Course Brook Farm are dedicated in providing the best care in the clean, functional, and friendly atmosphere.

• Stalls are cleaned and all of the urine is swept up and removed.
• Lime is applied to every stall every day so that there is no amonia and bacteria build up.
• Feed buckets are pressure washed once a week.
• Water buckets are cleaned every day.
• Paddock water troughs are empted every day and cleaned every week.
• Horses are given fresh water outside everyday.
• All barn walls and ceilings are swept down and de-cobwebbed every week.
• All stall bars are cleaned once a month.
• We provide a full bathroom with shower stall and changing room that is kept very clean.
• Year-round daily grooming of indoor arena and seasonal daily grooming of outdoor ring.