Nice new grass :-(

[NeilM]

Our two live out 24/7 365. We have around 3 acres and we restrict the areas they graze on as well as feed hayledge in winter. The new grass is just coming through and we have had them on an area of very short grass, keeping them off another area of equal size where the grass has been allowed to grow through the old dead stuff (there are a lot of nice sprouts, but I would NOT describe it a lush paddock).

On Friday evening we allowed them onto an area of fresh grass about 1/3rd of an acre and on Saturday we rode two very pingy ponies in the rain for two hours. Great fun. Yesterday we rode in much better, sunny bright conditions and our pingy ponies had transformed overnight into slugs, slow ones. After riding, we moved them onto another grassy area, as the first was looking a little the worse for wear, as it is still quite soft and soggy.

This morning, in nice dry conditions we took the slugs for a long drag around the woods, holy moly it was hard work, although after three hours they were improving (my lad more than my OH's mare).

So, now they are back on the short grass, where they have to work for their food.

Anyone else have the same, or is it just our two?

 

[Toffee44]

Mine dont really get pingy on the spring grass (also on full turnout) mine just get fat and lazy lol. I have to admit though they have had haylage this year and he is a bit more alert, I have also had time to work him more and actually hes turning into a nice responsive ride, is becoming a long process though. I think its the time of year though, its getting a bit warmer, and I am toying with the idea of when to put his muzzle on.

 

[spike123]

my lad is more than full of jumping beans at the moment. He has managed to injure himself through being such an idiot because he is so full of himself. He is on turnout in a very small paddock to stop him from being able to do further damage. I did try keeping him in but turning him out was dangerous as he was doing full on leaps and tanking off at every opportunity so it is safer to keep him out and let him adjust to the green stuff rather than risk my life everytime I needed to bring him out of his stable.

 

[LaurenM]

Mine's in a muddy field whilst the summer fields are rested. However much I dream he's not turning into a slug, just gaining more beans. He does get fed twice a day mind (chaff and small amount of mix). Will cut it down to one a day in preparation for them being out 24/7 over summer.

Not sure how helpful that was!

 

[NeilM]

Hmmmm, mixed response then.

We had no problems riding them, they responded well, as always, it was just SO SLOW and my lad kept turning his head right back to look at me. This usually means "are you SURE? Can't we just go home now" and is his favourite response to something or somewhere scary.

My OH is on hols now (school teacher), so I guess we'll see how her mare goes this week before we decide just how much grass they are now allowed.