Field Advice please

[Little-miss-perfect]

At last, the grass is starting to grow!

But I have got a good doer, who's had lami in the past

He's back on about 1 acre and it was cut late last summer. It's really short at the moment and he's just "floating" over all of it.

Would it be better to leave him on the whole lot, or would you section it off and strip graze? (But then your left with long grass the other side ) it wont be cut this year

Thanks
everyone

 

[CBFan]

How big is your good doer?

Depending on the size of the horse in question, 1 acre is a pretty managable size... I would try to keep him on the whole 1 acre, keep his exercise up and rugging to a minimum and see how you go... keep a daily watch on that waistline and act as soon as you notice any outward fluctuation...

If he does start to put on the weight or if the grass growth exceeds what's being eaten, divide it up as you see fit

 

[Polos Mum]

If dividing it up will leave you with a lush long area that you can't ever let him near I'd probably try and give him the whole lot (assuming he's not a 9hh shetland!)
Would he accept a muzzle so he can graze it evenly - just slowly and not quite so close as he would without.

 

[JillA]

Make him a track around the outside, it is do-able on an acre, I do one on 3/4 acre. The centre you can keep for foggage for him in late autumn, so he doesn't pig out on rich hay. If you are worried about his fibre intake on a track, give him well soaked hay.

 

[Little-miss-perfect]

If dividing it up will leave you with a lush long area that you can't ever let him near I'd probably try and give him the whole lot (assuming he's not a 9hh shetland!)
Would he accept a muzzle so he can graze it evenly - just slowly and not quite so close as he would without.

He's 15.2, quite stocky.

I tried him with a muzzle last year, but it didn't work out. I ended up strip grazing but it was alot longer last year. I do know that heavily grazed grass contains alot of sugars so was hoping he'd be ok "lightly" grazing it all. But I will keep an eye on his weight.

Thanks