What is the safest way to...?

Question

whats the safest way to put a horse on a fresh pasutre, when he's been on a dry lot for about 8 months?

I just bought a new horse past march and he was boarding at the place we purchased him from until our fence was complete haha now july it's finally done! (now we're working on getting a barn before winter)

anyways he's had colic before and he's really skinny and underweight and I have a pasture/grazing muzzle if that helps any

he gets about an hour to 2 hours of grass every couple days so he's used to getting a little bit of the grass

what's the safest and best way to transfer him safely?

i have no round pen, correl or barn just the pasture

please help I need to move him today if i can

thanks!

Answer 1

Slowly is the best way. How old is this horse? Your horse needs roughage. I like hay stretcher pellets for the older horses or horses that just don't consume enough roughage. Putting some weight on him is challenging but if you add nutrition to his diet that also will help. Just put him out for a while longer every other day or so to transition him to what you are feeding. You should always feed what he is used to and introduce new foods at a slow pace, this should stave off the colic attacks. Roughage, roughage, roughage.

Good Luck

Answer 2

i would call ur local veternarian

Answer 3

If you can't contain him off the pasture...the grazing muzzle is an excellent solution.

Make him wear it and remove it for about 20-30 minutes in the am and the same in the pm.  Increasing the time every day for about 10-15 minutes a day.  The second week I would have it off for about 2 or 3 hours in the am and pm...raising the time by 1/2 an hour a day.  By then, the horse should be adjusted to grazing without 'scarfing' the grass all day long.  By the time I was into the 3rd week...my horse would be free of the muzzle.  By then...you should have had enough time to monitor how the horse is reacting to all the grazing and grass.  If his stools are normal and he's drinking and no problems...I'd free him up to be a normal grazing horse.

Answer 4

A horse needs a large portion of roughage (meaning grass and/or hay) in his diet. What was he eating before? Was he fed a lot of hay? Suddenly changing a horses diet can result in colic. But the main thing of what you have to look out for with grass is the richness of the grass, which is very high in spring. Some horses, especially ponies, could founder from eating too much rich spring grass. Probably why your horse had been underweight at his dry lot is because he was not getting enough roughage..perhaps a lack of the nutrients (primarily energy and protein) that grass provides. I dont think your horse is much at risk to founder because first of all it is summer and the grass is not nearly as rich, and two, because your horse may not be laminitis-prone. Having your horse on full turnout w/ grass is not a bad idea, but you do need to gradually work him into it. If he is rapidly gaining weight because of the grass, he may be at risk to founder and you'll want to put the grazing muzzle on.

Answer 5

Just keep the grazing muzzle on at all times for a week or so and keep a close eye on him... after at least a week you can give him brief periods without the muzzle, and gradually increase the time until he's not wearing the muzzle at all.

He might be okay, when I bought my horse I had to move him cold-turkey from a sand lot with hay to a very rich pasture with clover and dark grasses, we didn't use a muzzle at all, we just gave him alternating periods between the barn and the pasture, and he adjusted fine with no colic or other problems.  We gave him about a week to adjust and then he was free in the pasture all day grazing.

Answer 6

Why he colicked would be an issue, and why is he so underweight?  The vet should be involved in this, and his deworming status may be an issue....if he has massive worm infestation,  that has to be managed carefully.  Whether or not he is a laminitis risk is important to consider as well.  The grazing muzzle is a good idea, but it shouldn't be worn excessively.  I would have the vet evaluate him and advise you on this.

Answer 7

Bump him up to a couple hours a day of graze.. another half hour ish more every day... do it for a week or two if possible [board usually ends at the end of the month right?].. then do the transfer.. my mare has 3 acresof graze to herself  and she wont eat it unless she is hungry..

Answer 8

Start him slowly.  Two hours in the AM - bring him in - then two hours late in the afternoon or early evening.  Without a barn, I don't know how you are going to restrict him.  He should have free choice good grass hay when not out in the pasture.  Slowly increase his time out until he can be out all the time.  Why is he underweight?  health problems or just neglect? or both???  Anyway, just to share re:  bad sugars and pasture.  The level of fructans changes during the day and with different seasons and stresses.  When grasses are stressed, the level of fructans rises.  So, early in the morning the fructans are at a lower level.  As the day gets hotter, the fructan levels rise.  When it cools, the levels go down again.  So, the middle of the day is the worst time to have your horse on the pasture especially if you are trying to ease him into a pasture environment.  Anything that stresses grasses will produce a less than healthy level of sugars.  Most horses can handle these changes OK, but your guy sounds special and may not be able to do so.  The grazing muzzle may or may not be helpful since the information about him was limited.  Just be observant and watch him for any signs of difficulties.  Hope he does well for you.  Good luck.

Answer 9

This question would be best answered by your local veterinarian.  Please call him/her before you do anything!