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Switching from dry lot to grass??

2K views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  friedmas 
#1 ·
Hi! This is my first time posting here, and I have a slightly serious question. My horse is 25, and is sound, healthy and still working and showing. I just recently got him after leasing him for a while during the summer. For as long as I've known him, he has been dry lotted, because that is all the old owner had available, and he hasn't had grass in 7 years. This spring I want to slowly switch him to pasture, and increase grass/grazing time every day by 15 minutes. I have no clue whether or not he has had foundering problems in the past, but so far I've had him about two months and he has been a very easy keeper. I have the option to keep him dry lotted all year round, but I would guess he'd be happier grazing. Should I take the risk and start to switch him to grass, knowing he'll be happier, but I could run into problems? Or should I stick with what I know will keep him problem free?

Any reply would be helpful! Thank you so much:grin:
 
#2 ·
I would ask the old owner if he ever had laminitis and/or founder. A vet check for insulin resistance and cushings would tell you if he would be more prone to founder. If any of the above are positive I'd definitely keep him in a dry lot until the grass had time to mature and then if you wanted, allow him to have pasture either all day with a grazing muzzle or very limited time without (ask your vet's advise about this before you take my word on it because I'm not sure if IR horses should get any green grass). If the test are negative and you're still unsure of his past history then go ahead with your plan and keep a very sharp eye out for any changes like fat deposits, tender feet, excessive heat in the hoof wall or bounding pulse in the pastern pulse point.
 
#3 ·
^That.

Start with finding out his history and current health. If he has Cushings you need to be super careful and if he is IR (often goes with Cushings even if the horse was healthy before) you need to be even more careful.

My gelding with Cushings/IR can go out on grass....briefly with a grazing muzzle. Some can't period. If he is positive definitely have a long talk with your vet.

If he is negative for those with no past history then no reason he can't go out on pasture, just be careful to transition him slowly as you would any other horse...maybe even slower just to be safe as he's been off so long!
 
#5 ·
I think it will come down to the results of those tests and if positive the details of that. The vet and farrier should be able to give you a pretty accurate idea of founder history and you can always take xrays if you are super concerned but that is overkill imo lol.

Most horses do just fine on grass and you are clearly a conscientious owner. Let us know how he tests!
 
#7 ·
Hi, mostly agree with the above. BUT even if he's IR/cushings or such, there's not *necessarily* any more risk having him on grass as on hay. Growing grass has more nutrients, but not really any more sugars/calories as the hay that's cut from it. 'Richness' of grass/hay depends on type, how it's grown, weather & when it's cut. So...

If the horse is a really 'easy keeper', I assume he's always a bit heavy. I'd aim to slim him down, regardless of whether you put him on grass. Always good to go gradually, but esp if he's IR, you'll want to watch what type of grass/hay you feed him, that it's not too rich. Take it easy to begin with at least on grass & expect that he will probably be like a kid in a lolly shop to begin with - can't get enough - but he should soon settle when he realises it's not going anywhere.

And balance his nutrition - if he will be in the same pasture, if you get the same hay, a forage test would be best, then you know exactly what supps he does or doesn't need to fill the gaps. If he's on fresh, growing grass, typically he will be getting quite different nutrition - likely need less supps - than if only on dry.
 
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