Off the Grass

[BenjaminBunny]

Hi Guys,

I've just found out that at our yard, the horses will not have turn out from tomorrow until at the earliest Sunday. This is while the fields are weed killed.

I completely understand that this needs to be done, but I'm now concerned that my horse will colic when he goes back out. I'm more than confident that the yard know what they are doing with the weed killers, so i'm not looking for advice on whether the horses will be ok or not after a few days treatment.

My concern is the lack of grass for 4 days.

He had colicked once before when at my previous yard they had to swap fields while a cross country event was on, the fields had some grass on but not much, and when they went back over my horse colicked (albeit mildly). This was only 2 days away from the grass and not even off it - in a different field (but that field had much less grass on it as it had been used over winter).

In this situation they will be kept in until its safe to go back out, so will have no alternative field, and it's unlikely that it will be an option i can ask for, as it's a big yard and it's unfair to do something for one horse and not the others.

Now, I plan to take him hand grazing (assuming there is somewhere they don't weed kill) each day until they go back out, and I was wondering if there is anything else I can do feed wise. Someone at the yard has recommended a product called "Graze On" which to me just looks like Ready Grass and the like, and I just can't see that it will help.

Any thoughts guys?

 

[windand rain]

Would have thought you would have been off longer than that for weedkiller but maybe not how about feeding him soaked grass nuts while he is in or soaked grass chaff if you can still get it he then will be on grass without grazing so to speak. Grazon is just grass chaff but it is purely spring grass without any added extras so will keep grass going through him. I would wet it well and soak all his feeds to make sure the hydration is high as colic is often caused by going from dry food to wet and vice versa

 

[SCMSL]

Can you go in before they start treating the fields and hand pick a few buckets of grass?

This way it could be fed in his stable...

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I would be really interested to know what they are using, most weedkillers require a min of a week - and for some types the advice is a minimum of 2 weeks for stock to be kept off.

 

[tazzy69]

Our yard have recently weed killed a field and the horses had to be off the grass for 2 weeks.

 

[pipwat]

Ditto the 2 weeks

 

[Polos Mum]

A basic summary (and ignore the stupid comment about ragwort) but you can see most weedkillers need a week or two before they can be grazed again

http://www.progreen.co.uk/weed-kill...in-grass/weedkillers-for-paddocks/cat_28.html

OP can you double check with the yard what they are using before you turn out?

 

[BenjaminBunny]

Thanks guys, I will be checking with the yard what they've used and i will check myself when it's ok to turn back out so don't worry, thanks for the heads up on that one.

I spoke to the yard owner last night who has told me of a place where i can take him to hand graze each day which isn't being treated or near to an area that has been treated, so that has put my mind at rest a bit re colic.

I will look to feeding him a grass replacement as well and his feed is already well soaked (he's fed Calm and Condition) but I will ensure I watch that too.

Thanks

 

[BenjaminBunny]

Can you go in before they start treating the fields and hand pick a few buckets of grass?

This way it could be fed in his stable...

There are two parts to this, firstly but less importantly the fields were treated today, so too late. Secondly, but more importantly, the second you pick grass it starts to ferment, i would risk giving my horse a severe colic attack by feeding him this.

 

[MillionDollar]

Ditto that most weed killers require 2 weeks of livestock off the grass.

I would in-hand graze, feed Graze On and then re-introduce him slowly back on to grass, eg. only turnout for an hour or 2 the first day, then build up.

 

[HardySoul1]

I would consider feeding probiotics eg Protexin. Can't say whether it helps prevent colic, but certainly lessens effects of sudden dietary changes and stress.
Damp feeds and gradually reintroducing grass once fields open are good advice and follow golden rules of feeding!

 

[Queenbee]

I would consider feeding probiotics eg Protexin. Can't say whether it helps prevent colic, but certainly lessens effects of sudden dietary changes and stress.
Damp feeds and gradually reintroducing grass once fields open are good advice and follow golden rules of feeding!

Agree with protexin and in addition as a grass replacement I'd feed fast fibre by A&P since its soaked and he is a colic risk.