Our pastures are full of rich grass. Usually they only come in from 11am to about 6pm, but it's going to be so nice the next couple of days that I think I'm just going to leave them out.
2007-06-13 03:57:25 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Horses
My horses stay out all the time except during lightening storms, ice storms(no grass usually) and really buggy times.
I hope you have had your horses vaccinated for anything and everything that your vet advises as mosquitos are often vectors for transmission of disease (west nile and several of the encephalituses to name a few). Horses like routine so be sure to check on them a least twice a day. Horses that are very upset and anxious can colic if you are not there to bring them in when you usually bring them in(think of the movie RAINMAN, the main character would get very very upset about changes in the schedule). I walk the fencelines every other day and test the electric as well.
In regard to the very rich grass comment.... Laminitis ( a systemic illness) can affect any horse of any breed, but some are more susceptible. Laminitis is caused when volatile fatty acids (which are high in rich growing grass) are too much for the horses digestive system to handle and the VFA"S get released into the circulatory system. Think acid...It is in the name. The acids eat away at the samllest blood vessels first. Usually the hoof has the smallest blood vessels. For every day that the horse has laminitis without being treated, treatment will last about 8 days and can be very expensive. This means that if you fail to notice the signs of laminitis for 2 days your horse will require treatment for 8 days and this is best case scenario. Signs of laminitis (founder) are hot hooves, presence of a digital pulse, and a stance that looks like the horse is trying to rock his weight onto the hind feet.
Knowing all this info, you can turn your horses out for 24/7. Just know the pros and cons. Keep in touch with your vet, and know your animals normal and not normal signs and symptoms.
2007-06-13 05:08:34 · answer #1 · answered by Pearson 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you want to leave them out all night sometime soon you should gradually get them used to eating for longer periods at a time... Increasing that much more RICH grass in their diet could make them sick and maybe even colic... If you have any ponies you need to especially watch them because they can founder so much easier than the large horses can. I suggest adding about 3 hours onto each day if you really want to-- however your horses might like the comfort of their stall at night so make sure you check up on them and make sure they are healthy and happy for the first few nights.
If being outside 24/7 was something the horses were used to then obviously it would be OK-- a lot of horses live outside (with a lean-to shelter.) But since they aren't used to living like that i suggest what i said above ^^^
2007-06-13 13:50:39 · answer #2 · answered by Sarah C- Equine Help 101 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the spring when we got our TB our pastures were full of very rich green grass and we turned him out in it 24/7. Luckily he had been pastured his whole life and was not prone to foundering. I did worry about colic but kept an eye on him. He was a couple hundred pounds underweight and put it on very quickly out there and now looks healthy again. I would keep an eye on how big their bellies are getting and just make sure you watch for signs of founder or colic if they are not used to it. A couple of days shouldnt hurt though, they will like it. Just my experience, good luck!
2007-06-13 04:27:22 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they have too much and are not used to it, they could founder, so I would be careful. It is always the horses choice to go outside, they would rather be out in the sun, and the pasture where they can run and enjoy themselves! Just watch them for colic and founder, and check them every day, just to make sure they are ok.
Also, make sure horses' diets don't consist only of grass. Horses need grain and high quality hay to be healthy and happy!
Good Luck!
2007-06-13 05:28:36 · answer #4 · answered by *P*H*S* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My horse is out 24/7 365 days and year, and she is more healthy and happy then many horses I know that are stabled! Horses are outdoor aniamls, the can deal fine in the cold weather, as long as the have the right care. When it's cold, they get rugs, either waterproofs, light weights, medium weights or heavy weights depending on the weather and how cold it is. Horses should have larger feeds in the winter to help them maintain a healthy weight, although depending on the breed it varies. For instance, my New Forest mare doesn't need any extra dinner, and puts on weight even when it's freezing, and yet my Arab needs a much larger dinner. Older horses will need plenty of extra care too. If it's snowing, it's best to lay hay out for your horse as it won't be able to get to the grass. Breaking the ice on the water trough needs to be done EVERYDAY. There also needs to be plenty of shelter for your horse. In the summer, make sure you have fly rugs, fly masks, fly spray etc etc. Also you may need to muzzle or strip graze your horse to prevent illnesses such as laminitis! Make sure there is plenty of shelter/shade from the sun and clean, fresh drinking water. Hope this helped.
2016-04-01 05:20:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its not natural for horses to be stabled, for ANY length of time. There are situations when it is needed, for instance, if the horse is in quarantine, sick or injured, or if its winter and the animal is clipped for show.
As long as you have at least 5 acres per animal (or supplement with a quality hay) they are best left out in the elements. Even the coldest, wettest weather is better for a horse than the dusty dank environment of a stall.
Just make sure theyre not standing in mud all day, and theyre not gorging themselves on spring grass and giving themselves colic.
2007-06-13 05:30:14 · answer #6 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems that your horses are pretty used to the green grass, if a horse is turned out into a lush field and never really experienced it, they can collic. I dont know if it would harm them or not to leave them out all night, but like others have said, I would check with the vet because the possibility is there for complications (horses like to eat and wont stop grazing when they should)
2007-06-15 09:15:52 · answer #7 · answered by megcorinne 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your horses are use to the grass and have a shelter so they could get out of the elements (sun, wind, rain, snow), it should be fine. Horses do not need to go into the barn at night, it's healthier for a horse to stay out side (in the fall, spring, and summer). But taking them in during extreme Temp. is a good idea
2007-06-13 04:24:35 · answer #8 · answered by Canadian Metis 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know you mean well - and want to give them a "treat" - not to mention lighten your own chore load - but I'd suggest not changing their routine.
At least speak with your vet about it.
Changes in daily routine can give some horses colic. Not fun. And, I've had horses nearly founder on rich grass - so be careful of this. These were "easy keepers" who could stay fat on gravel - but even hot-blooded horses can gain too much weight too fast. Founder isn't fun either.
Also, if you have a preg. mare, and there's fescue (sp) grass in the grass mix, that can lead to complications later on.
2007-06-13 04:17:04 · answer #9 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, No No!!! If your horse is not used to it, he could founder which is a bad sanario..Laminitus would be an issue too...Afternoon grass has the most sugar in it and that will cause the problems, including diarehea and such..If your going to have him out to pasture, slowly do it..An hour each day for a week, then increase it to two and so on...Releasing him out now for a fine dinner will cost you your horse, possibly..
2007-06-13 05:52:46 · answer #10 · answered by Tamitay 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋