Turnout on topped grass

[LankyDoodle]

Those of you who frequent the vet forum will have seen my posts about the loss of my mare recently (Friday). I still have a gelding.

The farmer has topped all the fields in response to the death of my mare. We have sectioned our own field into three bits with George turned out in the smallest bit. The farmer also topped that bit. In the other two bits there's loads of loose, cut grass which he can't get to anyway. In his little square, there's no loose grass but I am worried about the shoots coming through.

I haven't turned him out yet today (and have cut his grazing right back anyway, much to his disapproval, due to what's happened to my mare - he is a good doer). I am thinking of not turning him out today (or probably until the weekend), because of the fructans that will be in the newer grass.

So scared and don't know which way to turn at the moment. I can leave him in and up his hay for the next few days (it's soaked hay anyway), or I can turn him out and not sleep because I worry about every blade of grass he eats.

Help please

 

[Rana]

Hmm, difficult one, especially with what's just happened with your girlie.

Perhaps someone more scientifically minded than me would know....is topped grass growing back more of a risk than new spring grass?

My logic would be that if he was ok with the new spring grass, he should be ok with the topped grass.

How does he cope being in? It's not really much of a life for a horse if it can be avoided (not criticising anyone with horses on box rest for medical reasons here!).

Personally speaking, I would turn him out, with limited grazing/time in the field, and monitor him closely for weight gain, and symptoms of lami. Gradually increase his time out/size of his grazing area until your mind is at rest.

This is assuming he doesn't have a history of lami, and isn't showing any signs at the moment.

 

[LankyDoodle]

Hi Rana,

You're a star, thank you.

He doesn't like being in and I hate keeping him in. He has never (touch woo *taps head*) had any complaints, including laminitis. He coped fine with the new spring grass; however, I hogged him for the first time in ages on Sunday and noticed he'd got more cresty than I have ever seen him. What's happened with my mare has made me uber paranoid. He's getting loads of exercise which is a plus and he gets no hard feed, just soaked hay.

He was being turned out 10-12 hours overnight, but against all my better judgements we have changed him over to maximum 5 hours during the day. This goes against everything I know as a horsey person (my ethos if you like), because I know that the fructans peak at midday and are at their best between 9am and 4pm. Now I ride him (school and hack) in the mornings and then, because of the loss of our second horse, my husband will be riding him in the evenings while I cycle alongside with the dog. This is great as he needs to lose weight anyway. It means, though, that he gets turned out just as the grass is peaking and then brought in when it's just tailed off! I always always always turned out overnight in summer, as the fructans are lower at night. My husband's logic is that the fructans are highest at sunrise and sunset and another lady at the yard says that is what Robert Eustace says as well :S I guess 4-5 hours turnout during the day means he takes in less grass and we have noticed that this swap-over has led to him being less sluggish and not bloated when he comes in, like he was on overnight turnout.

It won't be so much of a problem when he has a) lost weight/ the crest and b) the winter sets in.

The fields have such good drainage and we are at the better end of the farm as well! Never seen grass like it.

I think I will leave him in today with more hay, go over tonight, clear up the loose grass from his section, ride and then turn out tomorrow.

 

[Rana]

Sounds like you've done a lot of research!

Don't know if this website will help at all:

http://www.johnthevet.com/fructans.php

Has lots of info about fructans, and says they'll be lowest between 3am and 10am.

I really don't envy you making this decision! If you've recently increased his exercise, you would probably be safe maintaining your original turnout programme (10 hours overnight), as he'll lose weight through exercise anyway.

It's so difficult to know what to do. I would definitely turn him out every day though, and monitor him closely. Then you can decide if you want him out day or night. Either way, I'd try to increase the amount of turnout gradually. Best to be safe, especially as you're worried anyway

 

[kellyeaton]

turn out at night bring in in day with soaked hay strip graze him when he is out. then you can monitior his weight it sounds stupid i know but a meal of hi fi lite in the evening before he goes out wil fill is belly so then he will not over load him self with grass!

 

[alisonpook]

Carrie
Can I please offer my condolences and sympathy for the tragic loss of your lovely mare - Absolutely devasting to lose her so suddenly after all your efforts. It sounds as though you did everything within your powers to find a solution for her.
The need to protect your boy must be overwhelming.
You may like to have a look on The Metabolic horse site on the yahoo forums and also at the safer grass site - these have very experienced people posting / commenting who may well be able to offer you help and guidance on any questions you have.
My own instinct would say that freshly mown grass was not good and that your turnout would be best overnight .
With deepest sympathy for your loss.