Weight/general management musings

[poiuytrewq]

Some years ago I had a horse who needed a really consistent routine and so started having them in either day or night all year round.
I didn’t have great grazing so it was win win.
Now, I’m down to one (seriously) good doer a Shetland and elderly Welsh A, both also good doers and have controlled cushings.
They get muzzled in summer.
This means I now have plenty of grazing without having the worry of making it so bear it just poaches over winter.
So I could turn out 24/7, well not quite I’d bring them all in to ride the horse and to give the little two their pills as the Welsh gets a bit feral not handled daily.

I thought I’d strip graze. I’m wondering though will a horse gain less weight out all the time, hopefully limited grass, can chuck hay out bug obviously they are moving more or is coming in for a big chunk of day actually better as I find they tend to sleep rather than eat and it gives longer muzzle free time.
How long is it ok to be muzzled?! The littler pony I could put one on and off in the field but the other not a hope, he will only be catchable at the same time of day to come in and be fed.

A track would be great but I’m not allowed, I’ve never actually been told NO! Here before so figure they mean it!

 

[SadKen]

There’s a laminitic school of thought that says in during the day and out at night when sugars are lower. It’s what I would do with a good doer, assuming I had the time and enthusiasm to keep mucking out. My current mare is strip grazed and self regulates, which is nice. My previous mare was strip grazed and muzzled 24/7 in summer and still had a round belly. Good doers are hard work.

I would probably bring in during the day, give a bit of hay, turn out at night strip grazed. Would be careful to try and reduce overgrazing stressed short grass which is higher in sugar. Would muzzle too if they’re fat. I don’t like muzzles and had to try a few with my previous mare. But I like lami a lot less.

 

[SEL]

I track my field so I only muzzle if I've moved the track. Keeps them moving with minimal grass and I don't have to muck out. My stables are roasting in the summer so in isn't an option.