hungry horse

[UKa]

Anyone else's horse hungry on current grazing even though it looks as if enough grass? Mine is living out since end March but seems to need hay on top is it possible that it's too cold f the grass to be sufficient?

 

[madeleine1]

Anyone else's horse hungry on current grazing even though it looks as if enough grass? Mine is living out since end March but seems to need hay on top is it possible that it's too cold f the grass to be sufficient?

i was thinking this. mines a bit underweight and i just moved her home onto summer grazzing and she had a runny bum so i thought id give her some hay to settle her out and she wolved it down. it might just be the wanting something familiur

 

[Cobiau Cymreig Wyllt]

Still haying mine...they've been out all winter..grass is growing but they are eating it as fast as it comes..they are on less hay than they were though as want to avoid spring-flush issues when it does burst through... Tricky balancing act to keep their weight right at the mo...have kept them all slightly over the odds up til last month then gradually reducing everything so they all are a bit leaner in preparation for the grass flush, so weigh taping regularly. Their hay is always weighed anyway as they are good doers.
My big boy is in a field with other big ones..they are adlibbing on haylage still but the gap between bales is longer each time.
Cold weather does affect grass growth, as far as I know.

 

[wallykissmas]

Ours were out this time last year but doesn't seem to be as much grass and a lot colder at night, so still in until It picks up a it at nights. We have had a mild frost the past few nights.

 

[UKa]

Sounds a bit right then.mine is a poor doer so really struggling at the mo as she dropped a bit of weight when first stayed out.really need some warmth now for her...

 

[cptrayes]

They will also eat hay for the fibre, sometimes they want more fibre than there is in new grass growth.

 

[FairyLights]

mine are still being fed hay in the field.

 

[autumn7]

My two are now turned out full time on scanty grazing which is just showing signs of growth having spent winter months being in at night. I've dwindled haylage over a four week period from around 30kg haylage over 24hrs (15.1 and 16hh cobs, excellent doers, healthy weight) to approx 15kg which seems just enough to satisfy them. As cptrayes says, the new grass growth is plenty for energy and nutrition needs but not enough for bulk yet.
Like CCW I'm fine tuning in readiness for grass flush. Need to watch condition like a hawk. Smaller cob's old and now virtually retired. Larger is now in light work having finished hunting. I fight to see their ribs at the best of times even when they're at their leanest.