First turnout results - and frosty grass question

[zoesophie]

OK, so Oscar was turned out for the first time on Sat morning (after fencing off a small part of the field) and I was really impressed by his behaviour

My sis was in charge just incase he was a plonker and she decided to put him in the round pen to get his fizz out of him.

She took him in there and he just looked at her as if to say "mum, what are we doing in here there isnt any grass

" She decided to push him on and he had a bit of a trot and a canter but nothing too hairy and then when he stopped he come over to her as if to say "Im tired now!"

She walked him up the track to his field, with a chifney on just in case, but he was a absolute angel

, I was beaming from ear to ear

. Then when she got into the field he just stood and waited for the chifney to come off and he just wandered off! ( I do have a short film but am waiting to download it at home later)

I do have a question though. The only time we can turn him out for an hour is first thing (sis turns out on way to work early, then I get in on my way to work, which means hes out for an hour) is he OK eating frosty grass after his colic surgery

Sorry its long

 

[Smash]

Stick some hay in the field.

Some horses are fine with frosty grass. Others aren't - I wouldn't bother risking it when you can just chuck some roughage in there for him.

 

[dianchi]

I would never turn out on frost grass as
A-its slippy
B- I woudnt want them muching on ice.

Thats my view not sure that the correct view is!

 

[zoesophie]

Ah ok. He hasnt really been interested in running around or eating any grass yet

so not too much of a worry about eating ice. I think hes just happy to be out of his stable and stands there admiring the view - bless, but I'll take some hay up 2moro for him.

Thanks guys!

 

[pinkcatkin]

Glad it went well! I do not worry too much about turning out on frost grass as Rose has already had her feed and some hay waiting for slowcoach Ruby to finish her brekkie. But in Oscar's case I would be very careful about that - would he eat hay in preference to frosty grass?

 

[zoesophie]

Yeah I think he would, hes just stood and watched us walk away the last couple of mornings - its almost like hes forgotten what to do in a field!

Its a shame we cant turn him out a bit later in the morning when the sun has got rid of the frost - darn work!

 

[pinkcatkin]

Yeh, but weather due to change Thursday onwards, much warmer and no frost so you won't have to worry so much then. Bloody work, it really gets in the way. I had to go and get some shavings before work today as Rosie's bed is so disgustingly wet, she pees for England. Will have to rush down at lunchtime and make up her bed so that it is all cosy for her this evening.

 

[zoesophie]

I know - work gets in the way of horses

We are supposed to be increasing his turnout slowly for up to a month but its proving very hard when you have to be at work 9-5.30

Join the club - I felt bad yesterday though coz I take out Oscars wee once a week and its like his central heating - the following morning it was -4

I felt like a bad mummy but he was fine

 

[pinkcatkin]

Is there nobody else who could get him in for you that you trust?

 

[zoesophie]

nope

not really anyone there at the time he would need to come in if I turned him out on my way to work (8.30ish)

 

[Rocky01]

My boy lives out so is probably eating the frosty grass and seems absolutely fine. I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[merlinsquest]

By the time the grass gets to his stomach it will be defrosted..... Its more of a worry for laminitics because of the higher levels of fructins in the grass when it is stressed.

His tum would get far colder from golloping down gallons of cold icy water overnight.... maybe not icy in the stable but still pretty chilly, and large volumes going down in one go...

 

[Shilasdair]

Frosty grass has been discounted as a cause for colic...if you think about it, you don't get a sore stomach from ice cream because it's warm before it ever reaches your gut.
(Frost has been linked with a release of fructans (sugars) which can trigger laminitis though.)
Hope this puts your mind at rest.
S

 

[MagicMelon]

[ QUOTE ]
I would never turn out on frost grass as
A-its slippy
B- I woudnt want them muching on ice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Erm, but they are horses who are designed for living out... Yes, it can be slippy but TBH so can rock solid summer ground and I dont think frozen water does much damage.

 

[zoesophie]

Thanks guys, I suppose it makes sense when you think about ice cream