Which turn out option for a fattie?

[Jingleballs]

Due to the abundance of grass at my new yard, for the first time in a while, I’m going to have to be careful regarding turn out as my boy puts weight on easily.

I have a couple of options –

Option 1 – turn out in a lush field but with an area section off just for my boy. He would also be brought in for about 8 hours a day off the grass and if required will be muzzled when he is out.

Option 2 – 24/7 turn out in a field with poorer grazing (but not poor grazing if that makes sense). No option to bring in during the day but smaller starvation paddocks available. I’m not a fan of 24/7 muzzling as my boy does get muzzle rubs in his desperate attempts to remove the muzzle!

My plan was to go with option 1 as the field mentioned in option 2 is about ½ a mile from the yard and would take a good 15 minutes to catch and bring in each day and then similar time to turn out again - basically he’d be out at grass all the time with the exception of when he’s being ridden.

I’m still leaning towards option 1 but it’s wholly dependent on being able to section off and area for my boy and I need to confirm the details of this. It’s much more convenient for me but it is really the better option for managing his weight? Shorter time on better grass with grazing restricted via strip grazing and muzzling? Or is longer turn out on poorer grazing the better option.

I can’t decide which is best! And just to emphasize with option 2, there is absolutely no way to get him brought in off the grass during the day as that would have been my ideal scenario!

 

[Enfys]

I would actually go for Option 2, the extra walk wouldn't harm him, half a mile is no great distance in the grand scheme of things - although not pleasant in inclement weather (to save time, and a mile walking for you, could you drive or bike up there from the yard?)

I would play it entirely by ear (or eye) I think that when horses have access to grazing most of the time they don't pig out which is what they do when they are taken off grass for a period each day or strip grazed. Strip grazing and muzzles are on my personal dislike list.

If he does blow up then starvation paddock would be my next choice.

My minis and fatties (that would be 90% of the horses here then) all live in well grazed paddocks (dust baths in high summer) and I feed forage practically all year round.

 

[Becky&Ollie-x]

Sorry i dont have an answer - just wish to point out my MASSIVE amounts of jelousy that you are worried about too much lush grass!! My boys r living off mud and haylage at present

Spring where are you - its APRIL!!!!

 

[JillA]

Allowing them to graze for certain hours and bringing on for others doesn't work IME - they can hoover up as much grass in a couple of hours as most horses will eat in 24 - probably more because they are hungry. I would go for the option which gives least access to grass throughout the 24 hours.

 

[Sophstar]

With option 2, do the starvation paddocks have very little/barely any grass in there? If so, I would pick option 2: out through the day on the poorer grazing with possibly a muzzle depending on length/quality of grass and then overnight in the starvation paddock with some soaked hay.

I only strip graze my VERY good doers when they are being introduced into a new paddock and even then must wear muzzles! They balloon stupidly fast because they get so excited about new grass and gorge it. On lush long grass, even with a muzzle, I have found they don't move around so much. My pony literally would put his head down and gorge rather than walk around seeking out the best bits.

 

[Jingleballs]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I agree about them gorging - he is a greedy little pig. If he gets turned out on decent grass he literally puts his head down as soon as he's in the gate and won't lift it until I go to bring him in again,

Re the starvation paddocks - as far as I know, are pretty bare although I've never really looked at them. Most of the horses in those fields are fatties.

I'm not sure it would be possible to have him moved from one to the other during the day - I think the staff and other liveries just do a visual check of the field to make sure all the horses are ok - I could swap him about one day to the next though which would ultimately have the same impact.

My main issue re walking that distance was a) the extra time it takes up, b) it means riding him straight from the field and c) having to walk down an unlit road in the dark but that won't be an issue now until later in the year.