Restrict grazing or not? im getting paranoid!

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gailt

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Right now? When i first moved over here, 2 weeks ago i was told, just turn them out, they will be fine...dont top the grass cos that will expose the better stuff...now im getting conflicting reports! and its driving me to paraniod moments... The horses have been over here a week now.

Dancer has always been out on plenty of grass, and after talking to herbies previous owner, they say he has never had any problems with grass in plentyful supply...so why is it, that now if either of my boys just rest a leg, im shooting over the fence to check if its hot or something!

Ive never seen the onset of laminitis, only severe, with a friends pony, so allthough i can read and have done believe me..i still wonder if i would spot early signs??

So my options are limited, stables arnt done yet, till autumn, and the yard isnt gated, so i cant have them running in the yard on hard standing, so do i muzzle them or stop being paranoid!!... and would you muzzle a yearling/2yr old... I have 3 acres of grass but they are both together in a one acre section, should i make it smaller so they eat it down quicker???
apart from being a bit loose with the change in grass they seem fine...your views please...

The dreaded grass...
PICT0699.jpg
 
lol, i am getting paranoid, lol...everyone that comes to visit says OO watch out for laminitis!...lol
 
Well, having had 2 ponies with laminitis I am VERY paranoid about it and rightfully so! I would definately restrict it to less than an acre. Maybe even just half that until its eaten down then Id slowly move the fence a little each day (strip grazing) up to maybe an acre (since your 2 are small nativey types?) which Id leave them on all summer with access to hay.

I wouldnt even put my slim TB out on that grass! I wouldnt top it though as I think they eat less when its long ends as its not so nice.

You certainly do not want them to get laminitis, even a little. Much better to be safe than sorry!
 
There looks to be quite a lot of grass on there - I agree, I would restrict it and then strip graze - if (heaven forbid) either of them did get laminitis , what would you do with no stables to put them in ? First thing the vet would say is get them off the grass. I personally think its safer to err on the side of caution to make sure they dont get it in the first place ..
 
OMG, i think pony may have it! daughter just came rushing in saying the pony wont walk...he has just come in walking very slowley and sore looking, he keeps lifting feet up! although his feet arnt very hot! what do i do now?
 
if he actually looks like he has it i would call the vet!!!

if i was at all worried i would restrict grazing, it is better to be safe than sorry. that grass does look rather lush!
 
pick feet out just in case of stones etc, then ring vet and talk to them...they know best! but wouldnt put back in field, keep on the 'yard' on softer surface if poss
 
Hot feet arent a very accurate indication. Do you know how to feel for the pulse ? Run your fingers and thumb down either side of the back of the tendon and stop just above the fetlock. If you can feel a strong pulse its probably laminitis. I would take the pony off the grass and call the vet.
 
I must say that looks like a lot of grass! Warmth in the feet is a hit and miss symptom and I always feel for the digital pulse at the back of the pastern towards the outside you can feel the artery like a piece of soft spaghetti. Another early indication is tenderness around the coronary band, press it with your fingers. Laminitis will make the pony/horsewant totake the weight off its toes so will tend to step with the heel of the foot placed down first.

If the digital pulse is pounding, in some cases you can actually see it pulsing, then get them in and off the grass. Call the vet and do exactly as they tell you. Meanwhile have a look on the laminitis trust website.

You are right to be paranoid, any horse can get this horrible disease without much warning but you can limit the damage by acting quickly so don't hang about wondering!
 
I echo what everyone else has said. Having had a horse with grass induced laminitis, its a long slow hard slog with box rest and a lifetime of paranoia to look forward to.

The worst time of the day is when the sun is at its highest, in the summer that would be around 2-3pm. The heat of the sun produces fructans (sugars) in the grass, and it is at this time that the grass is at its sweetest and most dangerous.

There is an awful lot of lush grass on your paddock. Please do be careful. The best grazing for any equine is the roughest !
 
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