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Discussion on On pasture - how long and how much
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Member:
maribeth
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Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 3:35 pm:
I have three acres of pasture that is 40% clover, 50% rye grass and 10% yarrow, weeds etc. I am getting so many opinions don't know what to do. I was letting my horses graze 24-7 but several people are telling me that my horses should only be allowed to graze maybe 4-6 hours a day. When boarded last year they were on pasture 24-7. I've been cutting back grazing time to 12 hours and giving them a couple flakes each of left over hay from the winter. By the way I have 2 1200 lb horses. Feeding is something I'm always confused on. Don't want my pastures grazed out too fast but don't want to starve my friends either. Their weight looks good. Don't feel or see ribs. They seem healthy
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 4:32 pm:
HI Maribeth,
Funny you should post that question; I came online with the thought of starting a similar discussion. I am in MI also, Upper Peninsula, where are you, UP or Lower?
I have 4 horses, 3- 3 1/2 acres, and lush pastures at the moment...a far cry from the last 2 DrOught like summers we had.
Horses are fat enough, and I want to preserve what hay I have left, yet give them enough grazing to keep them happy.
I was wondering how to break it up myself; maybe 4 hours in the morning, 2 evening? I don't mind giving a flake of hay during the day after I've worked someone and they are in the stall.
After 2 scary dry summers I want to keep pastures healthy as well as hang onto my hay.
BTW, if you read DrO's article on here, I believe it says 6 hours of grazing is sufficient? Of course with horses there are so many things to take into account.
Hope you don't mind my questions with yours!
Looking forward to answers from those who um, "suffer" from too much pasture, lol!
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 5:20 pm:
Yea I have been wondering myself, our pasture is very lush right now and I have easy keepers.
So I have taken them off 24/7 a few weeks ago they were getting WAY too fat.
So out came the step in posts and electric fence and I have made 3 pens ...one is basically a dry lot that they stay in at night, with one flake of grass hay.
In the morning they get one flake of grass hay (about 3 pounds) and get to go in the ate down to nothing small pen (keeps them amused picking anyway).
When I get home from work they get to go out in a little bigger lot with a tad more grass for a couple hours. It is working well and the weight quit piling on.
I have the replacement heifers on the rest of the horse pasture to keep it down, so when the grass isn't quite as lush hopefully they can go out 24/7 again.
I think it really depends on the horse...If they are getting fat (can't feel ribs easily) I would limit them, and wouldn't worry about giving much hay....
I think Angie's right it really DEPENDS on your horse and situation. If they aren't exercising regularly and are putting on weight I would limit their feed.. be it grass or hay or both. I have learned the hard way fat horses on lush grass is asking for trouble
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 5:45 pm:
I think it's not only that every horse is different, every pasture is different, i.e. types of forage, soil, water, fertilizer, etc. I have less than an acre of pasture, so I manage it very carefully. I have 6 quarter horses, easy keepers by nature, and they get an hour and a half twice in the morning and in the afternoon on the pasture and about 3 to 5 pounds of grass hay at night. All are fatter than I'd like. Two are yearlings, two are two year olds and the other two are 8 and 9. On my pasture, 6 hours would result in obesity. Right now the 8 and 9 year old are close!
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Member:
quatro
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Posted on Tuesday, May 26, 2009 - 11:24 pm:
I have been wondering about putting the horses out as well. Dusty is skinny as a rail, the old guy, COdy is normal size and does not pig out, and then there is Levi, who looks at food and gains 10 lbs. He also is the one with mild rotation, WLD, now thin sole.
When would it be safe to let them out on the pasture for short times, even with Levi in a grazing muzzle. The grass is high, which I have been reading is actually better than the short stuff, because the short stuff really stores the fructons which could cause the spring grass founder issue. Levi has not really foundered, but more had rotation issues because of his conformation and trimming issues, and wld.
I would love to let them out for an hour a day? What's everyone think???????
suz
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 6:56 am:
Susan Dr.O. can ans. your question better than me.
FME with Hank..who seems a lot like Levi..tall grass would put 50 lbs. a day on him
With Levi's issues I'd be very careful, especially since he's had recent hoof heat and issues, wouldn't want to tip the scale to a bout of laminitis. I believe in your WLD post you said he was getting quite fat...be careful
There is nothing I would like to do more than turn my horses out rather than micro manage them.
UNTIL I see my sound Hank floating around the arena...not worth the risk!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 9:25 am:
Guys, you should address your own horse's concerns im a separate discussion and not step on this discussion.
Hello Maribeth,
I am always confused when folks have healthy happy horses while doing one thing and then solely on the advice of others then change what they are doing. It reminds me of a Spanish parable I read as a child about taking care of a burro. Summed up it teaches: "please all, please none".
Maribeth if your concern is solely overgrazing we discuss this at, Horse Care » Horse Pasture, Fencing, Barns » Managing Pastures.
Maribeth, if feeding confuses you, start with the Overview article on nutrition. Read and reread it until it makes complete sense, feeding horses correctly is actually quite straightforward and easy. If there are issues in their you disagree with or don't understand let's discuss them.
DrO
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 9:51 am:
O.k., moving my questions to
"Grazing schedule on Lush Pastures"
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Member:
maribeth
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Posted on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - 12:46 pm:
Thanks everyone. Excellent feedback! Dr O I have looked for article regarding grazing time. I'll have to look further. I think my system of 4 to 6 hours a day on pasture and a flake or 2 of hay is how I'll proceed. I'll see how it goes. Its so helpful to see what other people do. Always learning aren't we?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Thursday, May 28, 2009 - 9:41 am:
Besides the articles on Pasture Management and Overview articles, f you would like more on pasture and grazing see, Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding » Forages for Horses, an Overview.
DrO
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