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Ann S
Member
Username: annes
Post Number: 230
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 2:31 pm: |   |
My horses do not need 12 hours of grazing but I am unable to limit their time since I work. The other 12 hours they are in the barn area with little grass/mostly weeds. I know it is best for horses to keep the same eating schedule but am wondering if I alternate 12 hours grazing one day and the next day keep them in the barn area with some hay, would that be acceptable? Thanks for any opinions. |
Cynthia G
Member
Username: cgby1
Post Number: 176
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 3:10 pm: | |
Ann,
Are they getting too fat? If so you might try a grazing muzzle. I bought a couple from country supply www.horse.com for those times when there is a lot of grass. I have a mare who will eat constantly and get too fat but it is better for her to get out for exercise than stand in a pen all day. The muzzle allows some grass to get through a hole in the bottom but slows them way down. They will also be able to drink water and even lick a salt block.
Cynthia |
Angie J.
Member
Username: ajudson1
Post Number: 1439
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 3:29 pm: | |
Ann,
I break up my horses grazing constantly because my pasture is so limited. Sometimes I leave them out 12 hours overnight, sometimes they get 4 hours in the afternoon, sometimes it's days with just hay. Depends on the weather, time of year, grass growth, my schedule, etc. The only thing I am careful of is new spring growth, then I start them off slowly. I also mix up what kind of hay they get. Better hay if they don't have pasture, my not-so-great-hay if they've grazed and the grazing was good growth. I am not sure if you are wanting to alternate because your horses are fat, or your pastures limited, but I don't think what you are questioning would be a problem. Just my opinion.
I actually am thinking that it's better to alternate than keep a study diet of anything...hay or grass,(doesn't apply to grains or concentrates of course). As long as your horses arn't colic or founder prone. Many times I let them on pasture just so they have more roam to run, and put hay in the pasture too.
Oh, my horses probably get some hay most of the time, this past year I doubt I had 30 pasture only days, most years would be like 60-75 days. |
Ann S
Member
Username: annes
Post Number: 231
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 4:16 pm: | |
Two of my three horses would be overweight if they gained any and the pasture has too much grass even though it has been so dry this year. It won't be a problem in the winter. They have access to some hay every day too (no grain). None are colic prone but I didn't want to cause any problems. For Spring lush grass, I put them in another smaller field across a gravel road from the barn until after the 1st cutting in late May/early June. I have a cow with a newborn calf there now so didn't want to mix with the horses. It sounds like it will be ok to alternate. And thanks for reminding me about the grazing muzzle -I have one somewhere. I will probably still let my TB have access to the big field since he is not an easy keeper. Thanks! |
Melissa Boschwitz
Member
Username: amara
Post Number: 407
Registered: 7-2000
| | Posted on Monday, Oct 8, 2007 - 6:24 pm: | |
because of my crazy schedule my horses are on a 24 hr on, 24 hr off schedule... they are either on good hay or pasture for 24 hours, then on sparse pasture for the other 24...the pony needs a grazing muzzle even on that schedule!... the other one, who in the past has had difficulty keeping weight on, has had no problems at all with this schedule... they get no concentrates... i have never had health problems with this schedule, other than the pony having a bout of anhidrosis/mild heat exhaustion a few months ago, which has since resolved itself, and i'm sure is not at all related to the feeding schedule!... |
Ann S
Member
Username: annes
Post Number: 232
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, Oct 9, 2007 - 11:31 am: | |
Thanks Melissa for the confirmation.
It was raining this morning and all three wanted to stay at the barn...I bet by this afternoon they will be wishing for the greener grass! |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1412
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Tuesday, Oct 9, 2007 - 5:44 pm: | |
Ann I let mine out in the "pasture" when the mood strikes...since they are on a diet. Sometimes they only get out on weekends for a couple hours. Sometimes every other day if the grass isn't looking lush. I don't let them out after it rains, because we are going thru the fall flush and it looks pretty green out there for a couple days after it rains. They are on about 1/2 acre of grazed down grass otherwise, which seems to keep them happy.
Keep a weight tape handy and if they start gaining cut them back. |
Ann S
Member
Username: annes
Post Number: 233
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 - 10:48 am: | |
Thanks Diane. From your posts, I know you have cows so I have a question for you. My husband has just recently purchased a cow and calf (a first for us). Do you ever put your horses with the cows? I want to keep them separated until the calf gets older but it would be nice to run them together in the winter (easier for us). I know I am getting off topic here.... |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1416
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 - 12:09 pm: | |
Ann depends on the horses. Mine don't bother the cows, but believe me the horses eat first and the cows get what's left over if you are feeding them hay together. In pasture with grass they are fine, but some horse will boss cows and pick on them.
You would maybe be alright if you could spread the hay around in piles that are not close. One year my husband unrolled a big round bale and the horses and cows stood shoulder to shoulder eating...because there was plenty. |
Ann S
Member
Username: annes
Post Number: 234
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 - 6:23 pm: | |
Thanks Diane...I have one gelding that tries to paw the dog so I am being careful with the calf. I am sure this will be a learning experience but at least the cows are my husband's project. I am not sure I want the cows going in the barn - cleaning stalls after cows is something I am not willing to do. Maybe the horses will keep the cows from going in the barn... |
Diane E.
Member
Username: scooter
Post Number: 1418
Registered: 9-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 - 9:35 pm: | |
Ann we have the horses and heifers separated by an electric fence in the paddock area... the horses get the lean to and the heifers get a tree. The auto waterer is in the fenceline so they both can drink out of it. They also have a hill for a wind break and do fine. When I feed the horses in the winter I just throw the heifers hay over the fence at the same time. Your horses probably would keep the cow and calf out of the barn and YES you don't want to clean up after them....much worse than horse manure! If your calf is more than a couple weeks old a horse will have a hard time catching them. Tho I did see my arab gelding catch one out in pasture once and bite it's butt...was quite funny....and it deserved it, he was tormenting the horses running circles around them then taking off. |
Ann S
Member
Username: annes
Post Number: 235
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 - 11:12 am: | |
Diane - thanks for the tips. I will let you know how it works out! |
