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Discussion on Winter turn out on grass/alfalfa field
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Tuesday, Nov 7, 2006 - 10:17 am:
Dr. O, we have friends who turn their horses out in the winter on their alfalfa fields after they have frozen. We have around 4 acres of 1/2 pure grass, the other half is mostly alfalfa/some grass.
My question is, considering Levi's foot problem, which by the way, since the vet and farrier are working together to keep his toes nice and short, he is doing great, would it be risky to let him out on a field that had alfalfa, dormant or not?
We lost 1/2 of our hay for the winter due to rain, so we are short on hay this winter. It would be nice to turn them out. But not worth it if it might pose a problem.
thanks
sue
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 8, 2006 - 8:04 am:
Susan what was wrong with your horses foot?
DrO
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Member:
Quatro
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 8, 2006 - 9:05 am:
Hi Dr. O, been a while. Levi had rotation in his foot. See Founder/Laminitis ( Bute or Banamine?) From everything that the vets here have determined, it seems that it started with a severe trimming in 04. If the toes do not stay short, he has had problems. Does not seem to be Feed related. He gets alfalfa daily with no problems. Have cut back grain to DrOp weight, which he has. His last x-ray was looked good, and he has not been lame since May.
I just don't want to take any chances if there is a remote possibility that dormant alfalfa could cause a problem
thanks
suz
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 8, 2006 - 6:59 pm:
I don't have any personal experience with grazing directly on alfalfa fields but I have seen extension publications that document it is done. When you say you don't want to take a remote possibility, you pretty leave any change out. As long as introduced slowly I would not worry to much about a dormant field of alfalfa for a horse not shown to be sensitive to pasture.
DrO
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