What would you do?

[Hormonal Filly]

Same yard, 2 turnout options.

Horse was in option 1 for all of this summer and fine, but I wanted her to socialise.

Option 1. Individual paddock, big enough for a good canter/gallop and fed hay.

Option 2. 6 acres in with a herd of 5 others, a lot of grass

Horse is in work 5 days a week, I’d say a good amount of work meaning schooling, jumping, fast work etc.

She’s been in option 2 for 2 weeks, loves it.. likes having her friends BUT she’s clearly put weight on already.

She’s a ISH but very good doer. She’s fed a handful of chaff for her supplements and out 24/7 ideally.

Weight wise option 1 would be better.. I’m worried she’s going to get to fat but want her to be happy.

Opinions?

 

[TheMule]

6 acres isn’t going to last 5 horses long as we go into winter so I wouldn’t panic at this stage, personally

 

[Hormonal Filly]

6 acres isn’t going to last 5 horses long as we go into winter so I wouldn’t panic at this stage, personally

In 2 months they’re moved onto winter grazing which is 6 acres of rested, good grass. I’m aware in winter it’s not as rich.. but worried she’ll get fatter and fatter?

I’m always really weight conscious of all my animals, she looked ideal weight wise a couple of weeks ago. She’s coming in rather bloated.

 

[Melody Grey]

Option 2 but muzzled and possibly given tie away from the grass each day would be my ideal there.

 

[AmyMay]

Just bring her in overnight

 

[Surbie]

I have a very good doer on ex-cattle grass and muzzling has been a godsend.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

possibly given tie away from the grass each day

I was bringing her in during the day for a few hours, but she just scoffs the hay even with a small holed net. Hay will have less in than the grass though I guess

 

[splashgirl45]

We are coming up to winter and I wouldn’t be too worried unless there is a history of laminitis , if it was spring I would worry

 

[scats]

Option 2 with muzzle?

 

[santas_spotty_pony]

Is it not an option for her to have one friend join her in option 1?

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Is it not an option for her to have one friend join her in option 1?

Would be good, but not a option sadly

We are coming up to winter and I wouldn’t be too worried unless there is a history of laminitis , if it was spring I would worry

That’s true. After bringing her in today, 2 days off she doesn’t look to bad so not going to stress to much.

Thanks all

 

[Highmileagecob]

The winter grass is not as rich as spring or summer. Is she in work?

 

[Goldenstar]

I would try a muzzle yes she may well keep gaining weight I can’t keep my horses out 24/7 at any time of year even most of winter I restrict grazing . Mine got only grass all winter just their supplement and a couple of kilos of haylege a day so they where used to it if they needed to come in .
I have had mine in a really bare small paddock for three weeks it’s rained now and they have had to come off it so they are in two acres of clean grass and I am going to have to turn them out in my pjs at night.
I am tempted to keep them on an old fashioned stabled with a few hours regime with sparse forage when in but they are better out and moving .
Try the muzzle, consider stabling in the day there’s no easy answer to this one .

 

[Patterdale]

I would do option 2 with more work if you can, knock all hard feed on the head and fully clip her with a light rug. Winter is coming and if you use it to your advantage you could have her quite lean going into spring.

 

[Surbie]

In 2 months they’re moved onto winter grazing which is 6 acres of rested, good grass. I’m aware in winter it’s not as rich.. but worried she’ll get fatter and fatter?

I’m always really weight conscious of all my animals, she looked ideal weight wise a couple of weeks ago. She’s coming in rather bloated.

Without wanting to be scaremongering, they can absolutely pile weight on through winter in that scenario.

Mine doesn't change field but came out of winter seriously fat. I thought our grass was poorer than it is. He is a very sturdy 15.3hh but was 750kg in early April on the weighbridge.

I've muzzled since late May and will keep the muzzle on into winter till more of the weight is off, but in nearly 4 months he's gone down 6 sections of the weigh tape.

I've never been pro-muzzle, but for me the thinline one has been a gamechanger.

 

[Clodagh]

The winter grass is not as rich as spring or summer. Is she in work?

Says in the original post how much work she does.

 

[eahotson]

I was bringing her in during the day for a few hours, but she just scoffs the hay even with a small holed net. Hay will have less in than the grass though I guess

Try mixing straw in with the hay.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Option 2 but muzzled and possibly given tie away from the grass each day would be my ideal there.

This I don't like individual turnout. I would muzzle by day and bring her in at night. Don't know the grazing situation but if they have many living out 24.7 then grass will run out. I have 8 horses on split fields of 4 acres each pair, none turned out 24.7 and our fields cope really well, some are over weight. others are borderline overweight. Personally I would rather my horse ( unless medical issue) be on a field with companions, and control the weight via muzzle and bringing in at night.


My fields have 3 months on 3 months off. I would never leave it longer as grass would get too long and they would gorge going from a bare field to a lush one. Our now resting field still has long bits of hay grass and new grass growing till October, so when they change fields in Dec they still have grass to eat. Then by the time they come off this field in March the other field will be growing soon so we are never without grass for long unless we have a drought.

 

[Lexi 123]

I actually had that problem with my own Ish . Mine is out 24/7 in the group for winter it’s optional in the summer . I think the problem is having them out 24/7 because I tried both ways and my horse got very fat. My current yard work very well for blood type as loads of grass but a nightmare if you have a horse that’s puts weight on easily . I wouldn’t move because my horse loves the yard.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Thank you all - really helpful.

I’ve been bringing her in during the day with a small net the last few days.

I’ve just found out a new horse is moving into the herd next week, with no introductions so she’ll be back in the paddock just because I can’t risk a kick injury. This is the problem with big livery yards!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Option 2 with muzzle?

I would try a muzzle yes she may well keep gaining weight

Without wanting to be scaremongering, they can absolutely pile weight on through winter in that scenario.

Just an update. Despite coming in during the day and being in work 5 days a week my mare managed to put on a whopping 50kg in 3 weeks of being on Option 2, according to the weight tape. Gob smacked.

She is back in her individual paddock with some hay on a morning. I ordered a flexible filly muzzle last week which I thought would give me the option of turning her in the herd while restricted.

Can they wear muzzles 24/7 because some days she stays out, and will it limit her enough?

 

[maya2008]

Can they wear muzzles 24/7 because some days she stays out, and will it limit her enough?

In my experience, yes and yes. Fine, for years of 24/7 turnout.

 

[Surbie]

Just an update. Despite coming in during the day and being in work 5 days a week my mare managed to put on a whopping 50kg in 3 weeks of being on Option 2, according to the weight tape. Gob smacked.

She is back in her individual paddock with some hay on a morning. I ordered a flexible filly muzzle last week which I thought would give me the option of turning her in the herd while restricted.

Can they wear muzzles 24/7 because some days she stays out, and will it limit her enough?

Wow! Just shows how dedicated they can be! Am sorry you have this to deal with.

Yes they can wear muzzles 24/7. I have had mine out for over a month in the thinline. No rubs, no protests at wearing it and as far as I can see, no extra wear on teeth.