When to let them loose on the long grass?

SNORKEY

SNORKEY

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Hi, I've got one large field attached to the stables and a smaller one which is now knee high in grass.
The large one really needs resting now for the winter.
Problem is two of my three horses are fat and the type prone to laminitis.
It's now getting chilly at night is it safe to put them on the longer grass soon or shall I leave it a bit longer?
We havn't had this issue before as we're one horse down this year and one of ours is new to us and is a fatty! :)
 
Could you split the smaller one in half? Put the non-fat horse in 24/7 and the other two overnight until the grass is eaten down a bit. Then put thin horse in long grass side and fatties can carry on eating the first side.
 
There are more cases of laminitis in the autumn than the spring, because everyone is very vigilant in the spring. There is often an autumn flush of grass as the ground is warm and then (in a normal year) the autumn rains means there is a lot of extra growth. This year the ground is wet and the warmer, dried weather has meant that the grass hasn't stopped growing.

Although farmers might say that there isn't a lot of goodness in the autumn grass, I would play safe if you have laminitis prone animals and treat it as if it is spring grass. My two on in an almost bare paddock, but I know they are getting enough to eat as my lawn keeps growing.
 
The grass has been rich this year, that's another reason the small field was left.
I can't split them as they will go loopy!
I might wait a bit longer and then split the field and only let them strip graze it during the day. I'd rather they were back in the large field at night as they can't be seen from the field there but it doesn't give the field a chance to grow back unfortunately.
 
Personally I would strip graze until its eaten, then you can section the bit that needs resting. I never took the risk ever with Seren, she had rotation in one front due to foot neglect and stress more than anything whilst on loan, but I never took the risk with a grass induced episode.
And I wont with Nell, she has no problems with feet so far but I will strip graze her until we get to the top of her field, she has half a paddock or rich long grass and I don't want to risk laminitis or colic. Her field will recover as I am sure yours will, your choice, but I would not turn then out on it if they are lami prone, only strip graze
 
Last edited:
MoggyinManolos said:
Personally I would strip graze until its eaten, then you can section the bit that needs resting. I never took the risk ever with Seren, had had rotation in one front due to foot neglect and stress more than anything whilst on loan, but I never took the risk with a grass induced episode.
And I wont with Nell, she has no problems with feet so far but I will strip graze her until we get to the top of her field, she has half a paddock or rich long grass and I don't want to risk laminitis or colic. Her field will recover as I am sure yours will, your choice, but I would not turn then out on it if they are lami prone, only strip graze
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I second this. It is exactly what I am doing with my boys. Don't take any risks re lami:)
 
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