How much grass is too much?

Question

I recently moved my 2 horses from a facility where they didn't have much grass or hay (why I moved). I am now at a private home where there is about 6 acres of tall grass for the 2 of them. I started out by letting them in and out every 2 hours and they are out all day now, about 13 hours. At night they are in a smaller 2 acre pasture (very short grass) with a shelter. I have decreased their grain, complete feed, slowly but substanciously to about a quart. I would like to keep them out turned out at night as well in the bigger pasture, but am somewhat nervous about colic, etc. How should I go about this? Is there something I can look for (maybe stool) to know when they are ready, or should I just keep them in the smaller pasture at night anyway? Thanks!

Answer 1

It's  time.  Cut out all the grain and supplements and leave them out 24/7.

You need to mow that field - they can't eat the tall dry stems, and rank growth.  Mowing it keeps the grass palatable and cuts down on weed growth.

I wouldn't worry about colic, but keep an eye out for founder.  It's unlikely, but some will develop it out of the blue, when they've been on grass even for months.

Their manure will tend to be loose and green on grass, but it's nothing to worry about.

Answer 2

their isnt realy a time that you shouldnt feed the horses grass but just dont let him eat for hours and hours because he will to fat and that is not healthy eapecially for a horse

Answer 3

I'm not a vet, nor do I talk like one.  But I know this, it dosnt take much wet spring grass to make any horse founder!  Happened to me a few years ago, even after the same two horses have been on the same pasture for 17 years.  I say get the advice of a pro...  A vet and ask questions.

Answer 4

Yep. I think that they can go out 24/7. I put my horses out 24/7 after about 11 hours a day. I think that you are ready. Cut down on the grain supplement and just let them graze.

Answer 5

I would let them out 24/7 on the larger pasture now.  Cut out the feed altogether, they do not need it with all of that grass.  I don't see a colic problem either...

Answer 6

All of the above I would agree with... at this point they can go out 24/7.  As far as your health issue worries... horses are designed to be on a grass only diet.  As far as colic... I love this story.  I know two horses on only grass and not worked.  They look pregnant they are so fat, but like I said, they are not worked at all.  One day they got out and ate two full bags (100 lbs) of medicated calf feed.  I thought for sure they would colic... but they didn't so much as have a minor bellyache.  Maybe luck, but with things they have done to themselves over the years and always come out fine, I believe the way they live has a lot to do with it.  My mare is now on pasture and she has never been in better condition.  Because I ride her regularly and compete barrels, she has a little grain, about a quart a day.  In addition, her feet have been better, growing faster, and her sanity level is 100% over what it used to be.

Answer 7

After a week or two of being let out all day you can switch to 24/7.  

Edit

I do not know the weather patterns where you are at.  However, here in Missouri June is typically NOT the time to mow.  Mowing does get new grass started IF there is plenty of rain, but the summer rains usually slack off about this time and the growth rate of grass slacks off until fall.  Here we would mow about mid may and again late summer right before the rains.  This way they still have grass to carry them through the dry parts of summer.  What are your weather patterns like there?

Answer 8

If they are up to 13 hours already, they should be fine to be left out all the time.  You just have to worry about them getting TOO fat because they are eating all the time.

Personally, I let mine out during the day (usually 13-14 hours) and dry lot them at night.  That way they don't get too fat.  Unless you ride them a LOT, that's what I would suggest doing...if they are easy keepers.  If they tend to be harder keepers, just leave them out all the time.

Answer 9

Agreed with the week or two.  The taller grass will be much richer than they are used to but you have done it in small increments which is good :)  Because the grass is really rich, they may have runny-ish poo for a little bit while they fully get adjusted to the newer taller richer grass.