Feeding on grass

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rockinghorse

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We have a five acre field & currently 2 x 14H ponies. They are currently in 2 acres with electric tape. They are both good doers and have started to come in at night so get plenty of hay, both clipped neck & belly so moderately rugged dependent on weather. Mine is used to hack out 2 -3 times a week & daughters hunts, competes /hacks 3/4 times a week. I am still strip grazing but advised that there no goodness in the grass. They get a tea of high fi & slim & healthy. They would both eat all day. Good condition & energy. My thoughts are to continue to strip graze giving them more & more grass each day. I have been advised that there is no goodness left in the grass but don't want to bulk them up, would anyone open up remaining field to let them find their own level or keep strip grazing? Thanks
 
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I have been advised that there is no goodness left in the grass but don't want to bulk them up, would anyone open up remaining field to let them find their own level or keep strip grazing? Thanks

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Don't you believe it! The Laminitis Trust gets more referrals in October than any other month which makes sense with the late spell of warm weather we've had so I'd still be cautious.

I have a bit too much grass but intend to keep strip grazing until such time as it's all gone/they begin to lose any condition, using the grass in place of hay/hard feed plus a vitamin supplement to make up any shortfall.
 
The 'goodness in the grass' will vary according to a lot of different factors including whereabouts in the UK you are located and the individual microclimate around you. For example, the more southerly counties usually are milder and areas near the coast tend to have milder conditions than inland etc. Where temperatures are milder, the grass loses its 'goodness' less quickly.

The term 'goodness' can be interpreted in different ways too - does it mean basic 'calories' or does it refer to levels of things like vitamins and minerals too?

In your situation, I would continue to keep them on strip grazing and weigh tape them every week. If their weight is consistant then they are not lacking in calories. If they start losing weight then you can supply extra calories in the form of letting them onto extra grass or supplying some hay.

If you are worried they might be lacking in vit/mins then you have a couple of options. You say you are feeding 'slim & healthy" - if you are feeding the recommended amount for your horse's size then that should supply the RDA of vit/mins. If you are just feeding a small handful as a token, then you could add a broad spectrum vit/min supplement (such as Equivite, Benevit etc) to ensure your horse gets his RDA of vit/mins.
 
Yes I would keep as you are with the strip grazing. If they start to loose weight then perhaps put some hay out for them. But my good doer has been on half an acre since April and I started to move the fence out a bit every other day and will continue with this for a good month yet. Even when he is let onto more field, it will only be during the day and then he will be back on his bare paddock and hay for the night (lives out). I have done endurance with my horse no problem on limited grass and hay diet with a couple handfuls of chaff and a supplement...and he still manages to put weight on!
 
When my mare was diagnosed with laminitis, the vet told me that he sees more cases in October than in April because people think that the goodness has gone from the grass.

I didn't open up my field until mid-December last year, and mine live out all year round. If I were you, with horses coming in at night and you're happy with their weight and condition, I would keep strip-grazing.
 
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