Preventing colic after the snow thaws.... (also posted in vetrinary)

[el_Snowflakes]

Hi all,


where we are, the snow has now thawed (and some of the ice) so the horses are being turned out all day (9am-4pm) however its been about a month and a half that they have been stuck indoors or turned out for short periods with v little grass. My mare has a sensitive tummy and lastnight i noticed her nibbling at her sides (generally happy and bright apart from this), i decided just to keep an eye on her rather than phone the vet and she is fine thankfully. Yesterday was only the second day they have been out for any length of time with access to normal amounts of grass, so i thought i might ask the yard to bring her in early today- what length of time do you think she should be put out while re introducing her to grass??

thanks

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Not sure but it may be worth putting a grazing muzzle on her just to prevent gorging. I had to do that this week with my two when I swapped paddocks after them being on the frozen no grass one with just hay all month. Once they have grazed the paddock down a bit with their muzzles on, then I will take them off.

 

[MM&PP]

I would gradually increase her TO as you have said - maybe by an hour every couple of days. When I moved my two onto different grazing I supplemented their diet with pink powder to maintain a healthy gut bacteria and to not upset them too much and I haven't looked back since. Great stuff!