And for everything a reason.

For years Ian has had a jekyl and hyde personality between summer and winter. Although I had chalked it up to "horses are more wound up in the winter" I still tried to find ways to prevent it, as it's annoying as hell to me and must be uncomfortable for him.

It starts predictably at the same time of the year every year. He becomes uncomfortable in his own skin- spooking while standing out in the pasture, tight in his body, unwilling to move well under saddle. Under saddle I describe it as "it's like his hind end falls off".

Over the years I've tried everything. More hay. Blankets. Joint stuff. More grain. (oddly enough, more grain does seem to help) But still it's never *quite right*.

This year, same thing. He went from Mr. Wonderful to Mr. Tight and Insane. I did all my usual things. Do what you always do, get what you always get. Yup.

So I tried some Gastrogard. Magic. Back to his quiet, nuzzly, summer self.

Is the answer to keep him on Gastrogard all winter? (or even the Blue Pop Rocks gastrogard?) My wallet cringed!!

I can't keep hay in front of him all day, both he and his pony would be founder fat in no time. I tried to think of what I could keep available to them all day long that wasn't particularly tasty.

Straw.

Googling found that horses on an all straw for forage diet showed a higher incidence of ulcers. BUT, horses bedded on straw showed a lower incidence of ulcers. http://www.kohnkesown.com/ulcers1.pdf The assumption is that in conjunction with their regular forage, the straw gives them something to nibble on all day.

Bedding on straw? Would hurt my wallet about as much as the Gastrogard!

My compromise was this: After I clean the stalls I put one thin flake of straw on top of the shavings.

I sat back and watched, fingers crossed that they wouldn't gorge and create an impaction colic.

They didn't gorge. They lightly pick at the straw all day, which is exactly as I intended. The rest gets trodden into the bedding. I go through about a bale of straw a week for all 2.3 of them.

So far, Ian does seem happy.