Pony going off for training - reintroducing to grass

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Merlin11

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Hi I have a young highland pony who will be going off for some training soon. He will be kept in a small all weather paddock with stable attached for the two weeks he is there. He is currently out 24/7 and I want to return him to this when he comes back.
Given that he will be off grass for the two weeks while away what is the best way to reintroduce him to grass? I have two other horses and he won't want to be separated from them (I keep them at all at home). Given that there won't be much grass yet at that time will it be ok to put him straight onto a small bare patch of grass and top up with hay? Was thinking of giving hay morning and night so he eats less grass and then gradually reduce the hay. Or am I better keeping him off the grass and just gradually giving him more turnout e.g. Hour for first day and gradually increase over a couple of weeks. Would have to do this with the others too so they are not separated. He has not had laminitis but is a good doer. Appreciate your thoughts.
 
I think the biggest change to his system by far will be going from grass 24/7 to no grass for 2 weeks, rather than the other way round when he returns, I would turn him out onto restricted grazing and get him back out within a day or two, it is not as if he will be going onto lush grass and no different really from turning out after a short time on box rest, unless he has a history of colic I would not worry that much.
 
yep just make sure he has a belly full of hay before he goes out.
You can ask them to let him graze in hand for ten minutes every day, which is a good thing for relxing him anyway.
 
In my many years of owning horses ive never had a problem with any of them going from 24/7 grass turnout to winter stabling when they only get daily all weather turnout & vice versa when summer grazing time comes again they go straight out. I've had all breeds from Connemaras, Shetlands cobs & sport horses. Everyone I know bring in off grass for various reasons & put back out again without Easing the transition. But if you feel better gradually introducing grass go with whatever u feel is best for your horse :)
 
going from grass to no grass is more risky because the colic would most likely be compacted colic-we have one at work that has to be reduced from grazing over a week and has to have soaked hay for 2 weeks or she gets compaction.

from no grass to grass the colic is more likely to be gassy and therefore lower risk-so feeding hay and restricting grass is a good idea and then increase grass and reduce had over 4-5 days.
 
Thanks for replies. I am a bit of a worrier I'm afraid! He doesn't have a history of colic. Think I will go with the bare paddock supplemented with hay. Will have to really watch his grass intake anyway. Will speak to trainer about how to ease his transition from grass to no grass. He came off grass for a week while we were considering buying him and he had some mild runs but nothing serious.
 
Have spoken to trainer and she has suggested giving him pre and pro biotics while he is there. Any thoughts on this?
 
Merlin11 said:
Have spoken to trainer and she has suggested giving him pre and pro biotics while he is there. Any thoughts on this?
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Bit of a waste of money, but if it pleases you.......Asking them to give him a quick hand graze would probably be the easiest precaution. I think you are worrying yourself unnecessarily; horses routinely go from one system to the other without dire consequences.
 
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