Too much grass?

J

jessikaGinger

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 January 2011
Messages
677
Visit site
Our horses have moved from a bald field ( with hay ) to quite a nice grassy field

Am i wrong for worrying? i have a very pregnant 13.2 mare and im unsure as to wether sh'e had lammy in the past

Shes out from 8.30am to about 5.30pm (DIY & i work full time)

I dont want to muzzle her unless i have to but she is very greedy

Any suggestions?
 
No idea about the pregnancy and what the affects but I'd at least muzzle her. Can you not strip graze or only turn her out for a few hours at first, its a big change from a bald paddock. This has just happened at our yard and 3 horses have come down with lami because people just chucked them out.
 
My mare always gets footy on spring grass - oddly last year when she was in foal this did not happen, I wonder if it changes the way they metabolise (sp) the sugars.

I'd have been tempted to leave her where she is though ... however I suffer from a condition called grass panic, I understand this is not rare

ETS I would not muzzel a VERY pregnant mare - you do not want her foaling with it on - restricted grazing or moving her back to the bald paddock is a better idea
 
Last edited:
Oooops!

Silly me for listening to people at my yard..

it was a little of 'yeah she'll be fine' ' were putting ours out all day' 'she could do with some grass'

I think when i get there today it will be straight in and a long walk for us :(
 
Ours have just moved to new paddocks and I am bringing mine in during the day, which is a pain because it means two trips to the yard as I cant ask someone to turn 3 out !
Thought I would be over this panicking but old horse used to colic on fresh grass, other one is a fatty! Theres always something to worry about ! Sorry dont know about pregnant mare, but you know what they say better safe than sorry.
 
I would be very careful, particularly after she has foaled.

No one likes muzzling their horses, but, compared to laminitis, it's a small sacrifice.
 
I would for sure start them slowly on the grass no matter if they are pregnant or not. One hour the first day and go up from there. It is never a good idea to give a horses system such a shock.
 
LouS said:
No idea about the pregnancy and what the affects but I'd at least muzzle her. Can you not strip graze or only turn her out for a few hours at first, its a big change from a bald paddock. This has just happened at our yard and 3 horses have come down with lami because people just chucked them out.
Click to expand...

Be careful if you restrict her grazing, as recent research has seen that ponies learn when they are going to be turned out, and how long for, and will stuff grass in (often more than they would eat in one day) in the couple of hours they are out for :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top