Read These Prehensile Lips: Meadow Grass Hay is Sweetgrass Ranch Horse Tested and Approved

Ed Stabb at Crump Ranch told me that Meadow Grass Hay is a lot like spinich for horses. With its low carbohydrates and starches, Meadow Grass is not all that sweet. It's certainly nothing like the sugary Orchard Grass Hay we've been feeding our herd.

So, when we began to integrate the Meadow Grass Hay into the horses diet yesterday, I wasn't quite sure what would happen. It seems the horses like their spinich just fine, Ed.

Here's a snapshot of Jetblue in the foreground and Gin in the back -- both horses are HOOVER-ing up their Meadow Grass Hay.

 

Speaking of HOOVER-ing, did you know that horses have prehensile lips? The word "prehensile" is derived from the latin term prehendere, meaning "to grasp." It's used to indicate an appendage -- like feet, tail, tongue, nose, or lips -- or organ that is adapted for grasping or holding.

 

Interestingly, Lake Sturgeon, orangutans, rhinos, and horses all have prehensile lips. The Florida Manatee has a prehensile upper lip. Talk about a diverse crowd!

If only I could read the following photo of Jetblue's lips, it might well say, "The new Meadow Grass Hay is Sweetgrass Ranch horse tested and approved!"