Field enrichment

[Charlotte.04]

Hi, we have two laminitic prone ponies (one with suspected ems) who are on restricted grazing. They are both in light-medium work. They get four nets between them per day which we double net otherwise they finish incredible fast! This works a treat and they are usually still picking the scraps by the next check which is amazing! I have put traffic cones inside their pen which are all stuffed with hay that they then have to get out. They have a salt lick. I have tried to get scratchie posts however we don't have anything to attach them to as their track is electric fencing. Carrot kebabs are a no because the idiots ate the string!!! All ideas appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

[Fransurrey]

I used to put branches into my restricted paddock. Ash, apple, beech or birch, mostly. They enjoyed picking off the leaves and then the bark.

 

[Burnttoast]

Can you sink a gatepost in the middle of the field for the scratchers? Dogwood and hawthorn are good species for lamis if you want to forage for them, though a bit late in the year. Brown bracken in small amounts is also good if you have any near you, and more available now.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Can you sink a gatepost in the middle of the field for the scratchers? Dogwood and hawthorn are good species for lamis if you want to forage for them, though a bit late in the year. Brown bracken in small amounts is also good if you have any near you, and more available now.

Be very careful with bracken! It's carcinogenic.

 

[Burnttoast]

Be very careful with bracken! It's carcinogenic.

When young yes. The more toxic components break down over the course of the growing season. When brown it contains compounds useful in glucose regulation. Only handfuls are needed for the benefits.

 

[nettle]

When young yes. The more toxic components break down over the course of the growing season. When brown it contains compounds useful in glucose regulation. Only handfuls are needed for the benefits.

Yes, this. I help monitoring a group of Exmoors on a nature reserve. We monitor what the ponies are eating, every visit spend some time watching them. There’s loads of bracken. They don’t touch it when green and growing. This time of year it’s well dead and brown and they do nibble a bit.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Willow if you can get any! They love it and it’s also anti inflammatory which is always a bonus