Frosty grass.

[Christmas_Kate]

I know there was a post on this the other week, but I can't find it

Is it okay to turn out on frosty grass? I couldnt turn M out yesterday as they were hunting in the village but today the grass has remained frosty all day. I waited till afternoon, and turned her out but was worried about the frost on the grass maybe causing colic? I used to turn the shetty out in snow etc, but we all know shetties have the contitution of an ox....

 

[madhector]

I always have done (expect with H as he had had lami and vet advised not too) but mine have adlib hay in the field anyway so dont worry too much as they rarely bother with the grass. Just chuck her some hay out

 

[Smash]

It's fine. Chuck some hay out as there is so little goodness in the grass.

 

[teapot]

You're fine if you chuck out some hay with her too I think

 

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

I had a horse that got impacted colic if she was turned out on frosty grass but the others I have had have never had a problem.

 

[JaneMBE]

Mine are out all the time, Phantom always has been, as has M, without a problem. I'm just putting hay out too, as I don't know how Herbie is.

 

[Maesfen]

Basically as long as the pony doesn't have an empty stomach (in other words had breakfast!) and can have some hay in the field too, there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Nickijem]

My horse did once get colic from being turned out on frosty grass but it was an early frost (beginning October) and there was still quite a lot of grass in the field.
I don't worry at this time of year when there is very little grass but I still put out hay (I do anyway, frosty or not!).

 

[cobden99]

I believe it is not recommended for the laminitis-prone

 

[madmav]

Not great for the grass either - mwalking on it when frozen destroys it

 

[Guinness]

We had a mare colic off frosty grass this year (well we assume it was anyway) also had one develop laminitis (also assuming it was frosty grass). I think the problem is that overnight grass has higher levels of fructose, so if it freezes the fructose remains at the top of the grass therefore it has a higher sugar content. Not 100% sure about this though!

 

[I_A_P]

i have never had a problem

 

[PeterNatt]

It is always best to feed a couple of slices of hay to a horse before turning it out on frosted grass as it can cause colic.

 

[I_A_P]

btw mine do not go out on empty stomahcs (they have either had hayalge or breakfast)

 

[MagicMelon]

Mine live out 24/7 and never had any problems with frosty grass. They all have hay and feeds, but still eat the grass happily with no problems. After all, it does get frosty in the wild too...!

 

[Christmas_Kate]

She's in at night anyway, and I cannot turn out if it's hard frost (early morning) because it's too slippery to get to the field. So i turn out at lunch time by which point the frosty grass isnt 'crunchy' frosen, it just melts under foot. So she's had hay before turnout anyway.

 

[dozzie]

Thanks for this. My old chap has been a bit on and off colicky this week and I was concerned that something else was causing the problem. Did think it was possibly the frosty grass. He's out 24/7 as he will definitely get colic in the stable! He is eating a bit of hay but he doesnt really like it much. He wont eat extra hard feed or horsehage either! Hey ho! Horses!

 

[Thistle]

Mine all have a good hi fibre breakfast before turnout.