Is it safe to leave out 24/7?

debsey1

debsey1

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I have a cob whose weight I have monitored all summer he came out of winter on the lean side but looked fantastic. All spring/summer I have turned him out at night and in during the day to well soaked hay and his weight has been okay maybe a little bit porky but not enough for you to raise an eyebrow.

They are soon to be turned out during the day, in at night (winter turn out rules) in the next couple of weeks however, in the meanime as the weather has improved the YO has said we could make the most of the next couple of weeks and leave them out 24/7. I am tempted to do this, it will feel like a little holiday for me to only have to go down once a day to check on him (a friend of mine will also check too). But, I am worried about the risks there isn't an awful lot of grass but I also know Laminitis risks are high in the autumn months. He's never had Lami before and is in excellent health.

Maybe I am answering my own question here but I am also not sure.
 
I think he'll be fine so long as he isn't on lush grass. My two lami prone horses here were out 24/7 the last 3 weeks as the grass had gone off. They were both fine.
 
Muzzle him? My cob is out 24/7 and I muzzle him. He has long breaks from it, sometimes I do 24 on 24 off or 12 on 12 off or if he is happy & grass is lush 20 on 4 off....he still comes over to have it put on so I dont think he minds!

Just keep an eye on his feet though, cream up if needed, people worry about the weight etc but forget the effect being in wet grass / mud 24/7 can have on them...pig oil!

Enjoy it.
 
TChamp said:
Muzzle him? My cob is out 24/7 and I muzzle him. He has long breaks from it, sometimes I do 24 on 24 off or 12 on 12 off or if he is happy & grass is lush 20 on 4 off....he still comes over to have it put on so I dont think he minds!

Just keep an eye on his feet though, cream up if needed, people worry about the weight etc but forget the effect being in wet grass / mud 24/7 can have on them...pig oil!

Enjoy it.
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Thanks for your comments TChamp but I can't muzzle him, I have tried before but it is too stressful for him he really does get quite stressed so initially when that failed I restricted his grazing which work out well.

Fortunately, he has never suffered from the mud maybe his long thick feathers protect him :)
 
YO says weather has improved?! Where are you - hasn't improved here :(

Chuck him out & monitor closely if you're worried, but if it's same old grazing shouldn't be an issue.
 
We're in North Devon. Weather has been horrendous but it has improved (sunny) the last 2 days and apparently, although I haven't checked myself it's going to warm up next week. That's why I was concerned about leaving him out, new flush of grass etc etc
 
I have very greedy mare that was overweight and laminitic before I had her. Now she is much slimmer, but still has to be carefully managed.

During the summer (April to end of Oct) she lives out 24/7 quite happily, although I do use a combination of bringing in, muzzling and a restriction paddock for the first couple of weeks when we move into a fresh field.

Fingers crossed and touch wood but no problems at all as long as you keep a close eye on things.

Hope this helps.
 
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