Grazing query - how rich is the grass atm?

[Birker2020]

Grass quality this time of year????

Anyone know if there are many cases of colic this time of year due to grass? The reason I ask is because we have all had a shuffle round of fields on our yard. I have been offered a large (probably 6 acre post and rail field) that was cut for hay earlier in the year but haven't had horse grazing on them for a while. My horse went out there this morning for about an hour and a quarter and seemed to settle down but had his head down stuffing his face silly with the grass.

I'd rather he went out in the bigger field as it won't get trashed so easily, the other option would be a little paddock for two to three hours a day (sharing with another horse 1/2 day each) which would get trashed quite quickly. This big field will also keep him busy as he will be eating when he goes out so won't be running around and he has other horses next door that he's met.

But he's always suffered with gassy spasmodic colic, and until about two years ago was getting colicky symptoms probably every fortnight or so. I thought if I turned him out for two hours a day for a week and then four hours a day the following week it might be better for him.

He has to be behind post and rail as trashes electric fencing and individual turnout due to previous bad kick.

Is two hours a day for a week and then four the following week okay do you think?

Thank you for reading.

I found this which is interesting, shows May is dodgy for grass and November is very poor. http://www.dardni.gov.uk/ruralni/grasscheck_bulletin_-_2012_07_09_-_rankin.pdf

 

[HaffiesRock]

I am no expert but on my yard we still have good grass. My pony is out 24/7 with 2 mares (1 comes in over night) and they are both holding their weight well with no additional feed. Field is about 3 acres I reckon.

There is a cushings pony on our yard and there is enough grass to have given him lami very recently.

Its been a strange year this year! x

 

[Jools1234]

if he has had recurrent bouts of spasmodic colic i think you are right to increase time out slowly, but it may start again and if it does you would need to rethink, the grass is still rich as it has not really stopped growing but thats in my area it may be differrent where you are. 6 acres is a lot for one horse and if it was cut for hay it is likely to be fresh green growth, be careful of lami especially when frosty. we are still getting quite a lot of lami cases in my area as people are the thinking there is nothing in the grass and there is

 

[CBFan]

Judging by my boy's feet, I'd say it is realtively low in sugar at the mo where we are, however given that you're talking about quite different pasture, particularly where VOLUME is concerned I think it is wise to build him up slowly....

 

[Lulabelle7]

Is anyone feeding hay at the moment...or think I should be?? My mare (had her 6 months) is 18yo a very good doer and on 2 acres of OK sort of grass plenty of weeds...not too much lush stuff. She is TB/ID never had lamin and very well sprung. Rugged in med weight (mainly to keep her clean) and open access to big barn and straw filled pen. Spoiled! Thanks for advice - this is my first horse in 35 years!

 

[Lulabelle7]

Is anyone feeding hay at the moment...or think I should be?? My mare (had her 6 months) is 18yo a very good doer and on 2 acres of OK sort of grass plenty of weeds...not too much lush stuff. She is TB/ID never had lamin and very well sprung. Rugged in med weight (mainly to keep her clean) and open access to big barn and straw filled pen. Spoiled! Thanks for advice - this is my first horse in 35 years!

ps She is ridden a couple of times a week, just very light work round the block - a couple of middle-aged happy hackers we are!

 

[Birker2020]

when its very frosty in the morning when you turn out its beneficial to leave a little hay out so they can eat that whilst the grass defrosts!

In the evening I used to put hay under a tub, under another giant tub and my horse went into the field the following morning and turned it over with his nose (he's very clever!). This way it stays dry and not frosty!

Now he's on this massive pasture he won't need any hay. So far so good, no swollen belly after day two, although was a little slow to ride last night! Think the two hours will do the trick, going to put him on four hours on saturday and evaluate the following day.

 

[Jools1234]

ps She is ridden a couple of times a week, just very light work round the block - a couple of middle-aged happy hackers we are!

as long as she is maintaining weight she has enough grass, but if you feel happier giving some hay just pop some in the barn for her to help herself-sounds like a set up i would love to have