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*Question about grass*

2K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  charliBum 
#1 ·
Hi! iam new to the forum, i have 2 quarter horses that are currently in a field with little to no grass, they do get grain twice a day and free choice hay.Iam almost finished with my new barn and pasture that has alot of grass i will be moving them within 2 months and i was wondering if i should rotate them out for a while or just let them stay in the grass pasture 24/7? i dont want them to founder. any ideas's?
 
#2 ·
your location would be very helpful as well as the type of grass. Otherwise to be very general for most of the US, most grass will be dormiant during the winter. As they say, the hay will cure on the stem - thus if your animal is currently getting free choice hay and you put him on a similar type field of grass that is essentially hay cured on the stem, you have not changed his situation; however if you put him on a field of winter oats and you had been feeding 2 flakes of mixed grass hay - Put the vet and fairier on retainer!
 
#3 ·
If you're in the USA, then no, you can turn them right out. It will be winter in 2 months and not much grass will likely be growing. They'll get used to the grass as it grows back in next spring.

If you're in Australia (and it's summer), then I would limit the horses to 2 hours of grazing for a week, 3 hours for the next week, then full turnout at the 3rd week. You will want to reduce their grain in take during that time, so their bodies aren't overloaded with sugars and starches.
 
#8 ·
If you're in Australia (and it's summer), then I would limit the horses to 2 hours of grazing for a week, 3 hours for the next week, then full turnout at the 3rd week. You will want to reduce their grain in take during that time, so their bodies aren't overloaded with sugars and starches.
haha I live in new zealand (practicly a green version of Aussie) and we go from hroses being on very eaten down winter grass, right on to break feeding them through spring grass. and anyhow, most horses around these parts are out on grass 24/7 or only go inside in the night
 
#7 ·
I spread some Rye here. It doesn't grow as lush as the summer grass, so it shouldn't cause any founder issues.quote]

Rye is a small grain. Small grains are overseeded across pastures and fields across the South for winter graze; however, in a fertile situation, small grains are very lush and have high sugar levels, and they fatten cattle very well - thus the reason so many cattle are pastured on them in the winter months. Depending on fertility levels, seeding rate,height of grass, etc. you could easily have a situation where you could founder an animal.
Any of the small grains would be good for overseeding the pasture. Rye, Oats, wheat, etc.
 
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