Track systems - are they good/not good for horses with history of colic?

[cheekywelshie]

Positives of track systems is keeping the horse moving and gut moving...which is good

But if there is limited/no grass and they are only eating hay (I normally soak hay) is this a problem?

 

[MuddyMonster]

I think so much depends upon the type of track - they are not all equal.

A track running around the edge of a field with a bit of grass cover that the owner is in control of the forage is hugely different to a commercial, fully surfaced set up where the owner has very limited influence in forage fed and day to dayanagement.

There's no reason why you couldn't soak hay on your own track though, if you are thinking of your own track.

 

[ester]

I *might* have concern if it was a particularly sandy short grazed track - in which case I would sand test every so often. But otherwise I wouldnt' consider it an issue that they were only having hay.

 

[cheekywelshie]

Not much grass in summer or winter mainly hay dotted around. I asked my vet and they said grazing is more natural… hmm

 

[meleeka]

Not much grass in summer or winter mainly hay dotted around. I asked my vet and they said grazing is more natural… hmm

It’s more natural because they are moving more. My track comes down in the winter. I couldn’t cope with the mud it would cause and I have one for weight control and to restrict grass. It’s not grass free though and they still have brambles etc to pick at as well
as the bare field. Horses in the wild
wouldn’t have big lush fields, but have to travel to look for food.

 

[cheekywelshie]

Horse is not laminitic or overweight but I wouldn’t want him on too much grass. How many horses could you have on a track of one or two acres ?

Are fields better in winter? But then I suppose they get muddy. Only option in winter if not track ( other than field) is pens.

 

[SEL]

I've got one who can get impacted and I've found lack of movement is the issue rather than hay. Winter is my worry period because he's in at night and if the field turns to mud then they don't move around much. On a track in summer I have no issue but mine isn't surfaced and on a livery yard you get what you are given for winter fields. I'd be ok with a surfaced winter track or a large winter field.

 

[ester]

We can't use our track in winter it's just too wet, so they go in the middle which is standing foggage by then.

 

[cheekywelshie]

If you have open shelter and hardcore standing would that work

 

[J&S]

My mare got colic from grass that was too wet/long/cold but since I have had a well eaten down grass track around the 2 acre aprox field she has been right as rain. Companion needs weight loss/restriction any way so this works well for the two of them. They have individual feeds each day and hay when needed.
In the winter I very carefully strip graze into the centre so there is a little grass available until February of the next year. Harrow and roll, set up track and start again!