Moving horses from winter pastures to spring..

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Barney860

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Just looking for a little advice really, Im moving my horses onto their spring/summer grazing so they will be turned out 24/7.

Winter grazing is minimal - its more turnout and supplemented by haylage being chucked out with them then bringing in at night.

I have been thinking my plan of action through as thoroughly as possible as to not cause sudden upset to the ponies systems now they will be on a large area of good grass. I'm planning on moving them before we get the supposed 'warmth' next week and will start to cut their hard feed down gradually before they move in the next few days so there aren't too many sudden changes.

Any other tips at all - or am I just being a little too precious with them!?

Many Thanks!!
 
our summer turnout is only separated by a gate so we just open then gate and let ours wander through as they feel. feedwise im really the only one that still feeds mine through summer but only if ive worked him as a reward.

im not an expert by any means but i think they will be fine just to put them on to the spring grazing :) lucky you for having some, even our summer grazing field has no grass!
 
Well its the first time using these fields, they haven't been grazed for over a year and we've been allowed to graze the 7/8 acres free of charge! There truly are some angels in disguise out there!

Thanks for replying, can't wait to see all their little eyes out on stalks when they see the grass and space! lol
 
I chucked my 2 straight out on to their summer grazing last year - about 8 acres of good grass. They had 2 months holiday and then gradually brought back in to work. They were both fit and lean coming out of winter though having been hunting/team chasing and exercised daily so could afford to put on some weight. Would probably have been bit more cautious if they'd been carrying more condition. I stopped giving any hard feed as well whilst they were out 24/7 on good grass and once they'd put on some weight, stopped rugging. Lucky to have lovely field with lots of natural shelter

Planning on doing same this year albeit bit later as spring team chasing decimated by the bloody weather so won't finish until 21st of this month with everything postponed!
 
I have to be careful with grass intake/changes as 2 of mine have Cushings and I am paranoid about laminitis. I introduce them to a new field slowly, putting them in a small fenced area of the new field just for a few hours each day, then move them back to the old field, and just increase the time and area. I do the same with the other 2 horses, as they don't pig out and get grass bellies etc.

I am sure yours will be fine, I just worry too much! :rolleyes:
 
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