Snowy turnout - How long?

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saffytessa

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How long would you leave horses out in the field when the grass is covered in snow? :confused:

For the last two years it hasn't been a problem as I've hayed in the field and they haven't had a single day stood in. At our new yard we aren't allowed to put hay out so I have been giving 20-30 minutes with hay before turning out at about 10am then feeding a scoop of chaff before I leave at about 12. I'm bringing in between 4.30 and 5.30.

They get a haybar full of hay when they come in (at least 20lbs) and this is all gone in the morning hence giving more hay before turning out. They are both good doers so don't want to overfeed them. Is this too long for them to be without or am I just worrying too much? :o I know they can snuffle for grass but they, their field mates and neighbours are all just stood about. I like them to be out for a leg stretch but would I be better bringing in after mucking out?

Tiramisu to all who got this far and thanks in advance.
 
tbh while I understand the reasons for a no hay in field rule, I do think it should be suspended when the grass is deep under snow, if people promise (and do) clear up any bits left after the snow melts.

Maybe thats cos my horse got snow colic from eating too much snow without being able to eat grass (not at a livery yard, at home, so not being anti-YO!).

Very good idea to feed something, anything before turning out in icy/snowy conditions, as it helps to prevent accidents on way to field (towed by horse desperate to get out and eat) and in the field (excitement at being out/fighting over forage)

Based on my experience of snow colic, I bring in if they are just standing around, but leave out if they are managing to get at the grass under the snow.
 
I wouldn't mind the no hay rule so much if it stood all the time. YO puts the scraps and bitty rubbish from the hay barn floor out in the fields every so often but doesn't always put it out in enough piles to be safe for the horses:rolleyes:

I'm going to put a stop to this in our field if poss as my mare is now on steamed hay and an inhaler to clear up a cough caused by dry hay. Feel mean as they will be looking over the fence at others eating but not all fields get the scraps anyway.

I've been feeding in a morning since the hard frosts started but I'm topping up with a bucket feed so I know they've had some fibre before I leave. Just don't know whether the lunchtime feed is necessary:confused:
 
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