strip grazing?

[kellyeaton]

is it an good idea i know it is good in 1 way coz you can give little bits at a time but once they have eaten there paddock off people say the new growth that has grown be hind them is more dangerous for a lammi prone pony then putting them on long grass due to the new growth so whats the best?

 

[Tnavas]

Laminitis ponies need exercise - strip grazing prevent proper exercise so is not really a good idea.

We've never had problems with the school ponies on short grass - they have to work so hard to graze it that they never get the volume.

Preferably you need to graze right down low with something else, cows, sheep or even the lawn mower (collect the clippings though) so that they have to work hard and move around, also shutting up with a small haynet of Meadow Hay, putting it in a net with tiny holes keeps them busy for longer.

 

[bensababy]

Muzzle them thats all i can say.

Dont like strip grazing and wouldnt do it. they need to roam around not be cooped up in a tiny paddock. Stressed grass is also just as dangerous as lush grass.

 

[angiebaby]

I agree laminitic prone horses/ponies need exercise;

You contradicted yourself Tnavas by saying also shut them up with a small haynet?!!!

I have always strip grazed my ponies ( not been laminitic since I rescued 7 years ago)

By far the best way to keep them happy and slim is by making a track around a paddock. With the water one end, they will move around all day; You can move the electric fencing in/out depending on weather and grass growth.

This has worked brilliantly for me, ok so its harder work, but very rewarding when you see them looking good and sound!

 

[f_s_]

Agree with this, great way of exercising them, and keeping their intake down.

I also strip graze, but admit I have an advantage. I have two very large horses that take the first cut down, then two smaller larger ones take the second cut, then the ponies go out on the grass. It's not too short nor too long then, and I can monitor them. They are moved every week or so, and brought into the school to keep them off the grass during the day. Also, I run a path strip and have water at one end, that way they can see the others and keep their intake down and their exercise up.

 

[welshied]

When i strip graze i move it over every couple of day so they aren't eating the fresh roots all the time as they are richer then the longer grass.

 

[pottamus]

I strip graze starting off with the eaten down paddock he has been on all winter so he is continually moving around and is on very short grass to begin with. He is always on about an acre to begin with that has been stripped over winter...so any strip grazing I do from there is based on his weight at the time and whether he actually needs it.

 

[Donkeymad]

Absolutely agree with Jakesmydog re the Racetrack system, and with most of what bensababy said too.

The Racetrack system really is a very good way to keep an obese/lami horse and I have had fantastic results with it personally. I don't see it as being harder work other than the intitial setting up, but well worth the effort.

 

[Tnavas]

Jakesmydog - I did rather! - I should have qualified what I said - it was bed time for me and brain switched off - in NZ!

If you have to confine the pony then he will need a small holed haynet to keep him busy, but he will need to be exercised daily for at least an hour with plenty of trotting. We have a 'Jenny Craig' paddock that is totally dirt, the ponies go out onto the grass twice a day for about an hour or so. This keeps them happy!! They still race to the gate to come in and get their hay - guess it's easier to get than the grass - greedy little terrors!

The racetrack system is brilliant if you are able to set it up.