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Discussion on Too much pasture
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Member:
Beasley
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Posted on Friday, Mar 12, 2004 - 2:16 pm:
I have between 2 to 4 horses at any given time on about 8 acres of very nice pasture (we live above some bottom land and the pasture is very good). Since I cannot keep them off the spring grass 8-12 hr. out of 24 because of health issues (hock, stiffle, arthiritis), is it better to leave them out all the time or bring them into a paddock of little grass and limited movement 2Xwk? Any suggestions? They only get 1 cup of grain a day and no hay.
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Member:
Liliana
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Posted on Friday, Mar 12, 2004 - 2:40 pm:
Hello Jo,
Gosh I do envy you, we have no grassing at all in my neck of the woods.
Have you tried sectioning your land perhaps with electric fencing? in that way you can manage your pasture more efficently.
You mention 8/12 hrs off 24, are they stabled at night and if so donīt they have any hay at night?
As you know the ratio is 1 acre per horse so it seems to me that sectioning might be an idea. Too much rich grass can lead to laminitis, (also too much protein or barley amongst other things)
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Member:
36541
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Posted on Friday, Mar 12, 2004 - 5:35 pm:
Hi Jo, I have 40 acres and 4-6 horses. I also farm for hay so I need to be able to shut off pastures yet have flexibility. I've been using Horseguard electric tape for the past 10 years, and couldn't be happier with it. If you put a few tensioners at strategic intervals, you can change your fencing any day of the week. I installed it all, no hefty muscles needed. You can find it at www.horseguard.com. Stacy
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Member:
Tagloili
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Posted on Friday, Mar 12, 2004 - 6:55 pm:
I found nothing but supplements at horseguard.com, did you mean horseguardfence.com?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2004 - 9:08 am:
If obesity is a problem I too suggest you create a paddock that allows you to manage their turnout. However this needs to be a daily routine and you might find it requires reducing pasture access to less than 6 hours a day.
DrO
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Member:
Beasley
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Posted on Sunday, Mar 14, 2004 - 7:23 pm:
Thank you all: Dr. O, Liliana and Stacy for your reponses.
My horses are stabled only under the most severe weather (not too often in GA.) and I use hay only when it is very cold and the grass is dormat (during Jan./Feb. usually).
I think the horseguardfence would be the best option and they need to be on the grass daily for a limited time.
I still am wondering if keeping them in the paddock 2 to 3x week would help or not? Of course I have the paddock already and it is about 1/4 acre. My concerns are that they not get too fat or founder but also do not have worsened stiffle/arthritis/hock problems from the limited movement? Thanks.
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Member:
36541
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Posted on Monday, Mar 15, 2004 - 9:38 am:
Thanks George, for correcting my link. Yours is correct - I was going from memory and it has been a while since I've needed to order anything. For all, the free booklet they send out is great, has tape samples with it. Jo, I only use the brown or green tape as the white tends to show any mold growth here in the humid south. Once you train them on the tape, it can be off for weeks and they will still respect it. We have even strung it off the trailer when traveling for a small grazing area. Good Luck, Stacy
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