Claude
Active Member
Hello, am worrying rich grass can cause horse colic as he has been on hay all winter and no grass. Now in a paddock with lots of very green grass and having tiny token feeds. Could this cause colic? He is living out 24/7.
Can rich grass cause colic if horse isn't used to it?
- Thread starter Claude
- Start date
MrsMozart
Just passing through...
Yes it can. Better to introduce slowly.
Won't be the case with all horses. Some of ours are fine, others have to have a gradual re-introduction.
OP you might find that you don't need the feeds. The new grass will have a lot in it.
Won't be the case with all horses. Some of ours are fine, others have to have a gradual re-introduction.
OP you might find that you don't need the feeds. The new grass will have a lot in it.
Mongoose11
Well-Known Member
Last year my mare had colic three times, seriously touch and go once. I have moved yards since and there are two things that are different and she hasn't had colic since.....
1) The soil isn't sandy here, it could have been 'sand' colic
2) I have been giving her a little bran feed (couple of handfuls with a handful of chaff) every day.
I know that some people swear by bran for reducing risk of colic, I would go with gradually upping his time on the grass and a little bran feed split between morning and night to reduce your risk.
But then, this is what I would do for my own - I know there are far more experienced people around. I certainly won't be stopping her bran as I am certain it has helped!
x
1) The soil isn't sandy here, it could have been 'sand' colic
2) I have been giving her a little bran feed (couple of handfuls with a handful of chaff) every day.
I know that some people swear by bran for reducing risk of colic, I would go with gradually upping his time on the grass and a little bran feed split between morning and night to reduce your risk.
But then, this is what I would do for my own - I know there are far more experienced people around. I certainly won't be stopping her bran as I am certain it has helped!
x
Miss L Toe
Well-Known Member
I must admit I feed a bit of Dengie non molassed chaff, and Fast fibre before I put out if the grass is lusher than I would like, damp bran sounds good, as it has absorbent properties.
caramel
Well-Known Member
yes it can, last year I moved my boy onto a field full of grass, despite being on shorter turnout, he developed spasmodic colic twice in 2 weeks. Simply because he wasn't used to it. Know now to be careful, and introduce fresh grass gradually.