Grazing worry, what would you do?

[Leary]

Last week we were told that we had to move our horses from the winter field, which had a covering of grass but not much. We are now in the summer paddocks and I'm really worried. The grass is a good 6" in places and its really lush. The good doers in the field are suffering with the squits, gassiness etc. The horses are split into a mares and a geldings field, and Liri is a mare. Out of the four horses in the mares field, only one of them is a TB type which seems to be coping well. I just don't know what to do. At the moment I am turning her out for six hours a day, stabling her for the other eighteen, and she is the size of a house. I tried a grazing muzzle on her today, but because the grass is long she can't eat it at all because it's not poking through the hole. I can't turn her out just for an hour or so because she's a b****r to catch, she will only let you catch her when she's stuffed herself stupid. I hate keeping her in for such long periods in this lovely weather, especially as she's 16 and got stringhalt, but don't know what else to do. The YO has said she can make a starvation paddock, but it's really small, then I feel bad 'cos there isn't room for the three mares who really need it. Any suggestions really really appreciated.

 

[frb]

Talk to your YO again, as the welfare of your horse is paramount, and the YO should appreciate that and has a responsibility. Best to use the starvation paddock if you can, or see if you can strip graze the paddock you are in. Have exactly the same issues with my boy and yard at the mo, and one of ponies at yard came down with lami today.

 

[scotsmare]

What amazes me is why YO's ignore the fact that there will be tons of grass and fail to deal with it or at least try and forsee which horses will have problems.

 

[LCobby]

IF all mare owners agree, put up an electric fence to keep them on one patch, and gradually move it during the summer as thye at the grass down, or it dries out and is no longer lush- you may be glad of it in August.
If not, at least do a fatties paddock for yours.
Bear in mind position of water trough and shade and shelter, when splitting the field up

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

i think your yard owner needs to do more, there needs to be sectioning off with tape of this field imo, the grazing needs to be reduced

 

[malibu211211]

Hello A
I have spoken to YO tonight and she has agreed to have Monty and Ted fenced off until this grass is at a manageable level.
I think you and Bellaboo need to approach her and ask if your 3 can be fenced off and the TB have the rest of the field

 

[Leary]

Thank you everyone for your advice. It is such a worry. I will approach YO again, and I think your suggestion The_Stropster of the 3 good doers being fenced off is the only way to go really.

 

[angiebaby]

My ponies go out in winter with their muzzles on; the grass is over 6" high, you'd be suprised that they can get grass through very easily; they just fold it down and bite the middle!