Fresh grass question

Shay's Sunshine · 04-05-2008, 05:49 AM

my horse was put directly on fresh grass from hay at the barn and all the guys are now experiencing loose manure - I plan on moving him May 1 to my place about 30 miles away, the grass there is very green and lush - how should I do this? Put him out and watch him or put him out a little bit at a time? (of course then I would have to get him back into hay which he is is now off of) Been giving him porbi to help him adjust. He is drinking a lot, licking mineral & salt blocks.

BTW already talked to vet about my concern at barn - he just said to watch him.

JBandRio · 04-05-2008, 07:58 AM

Grrrrrrr......

That is just asking for colic at best, laminitis/founder at worst.

How long were they just plunked out there for?

Most horses can deal with this just fine, but it is a death sentence for some. Watching them is one way to go about it, but if you suddenly find the horse unable to walk and stand properly one day, watching is too late.

CJ · 04-05-2008, 08:21 AM

When faced w/a new & extreme amount of grass, I put them out for @ 20 mins max, and slowly ramp up from there.
It doesnt take much extra grass to cause a problem. When mine were changed from a bad bald place to one that was still pretty thin (think astroturf) they still got enough by comparison to make themselves uncomfortable for a day or two.
Short sessions kept them from getting sick at the rental & house, which were knee/Deep in grass.

countryacres · 04-05-2008, 08:53 AM

I agree with it what has been said.

And wanted to ad that when you put him out the first several time do it when he was had most of his morning hay. So that he is not hungry when he goes out.

luttrellfarms · 04-05-2008, 12:34 PM

Horses and cows both will be loose when new grass comes out. If, where he is now, does not have a lot of grass, then he should get used to it as it comes in and by the time you move him he should be adjusted. However, it is very smart to keep an eye on him.

Shay's Sunshine · 04-06-2008, 04:21 PM

well, there are two horses lame today - they have been on the grass for about 3 weeks - how long before they are out of danger? They are all still a little loose.

BTW what does lamintis/founder loook like?

04-05-2008, 05:49 AM	#1
Shay's Sunshine Full Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 268 Images: 13	Fresh grass question my horse was put directly on fresh grass from hay at the barn and all the guys are now experiencing loose manure - I plan on moving him May 1 to my place about 30 miles away, the grass there is very green and lush - how should I do this? Put him out and watch him or put him out a little bit at a time? (of course then I would have to get him back into hay which he is is now off of) Been giving him porbi to help him adjust. He is drinking a lot, licking mineral & salt blocks. BTW already talked to vet about my concern at barn - he just said to watch him.

04-05-2008, 07:58 AM	#2
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,772 Images: 145 Blog Entries: 12	Grrrrrrr...... That is just asking for colic at best, laminitis/founder at worst. How long were they just plunked out there for? Most horses can deal with this just fine, but it is a death sentence for some. Watching them is one way to go about it, but if you suddenly find the horse unable to walk and stand properly one day, watching is too late. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - You can't hit me with all those snowballs!

04-05-2008, 08:21 AM	#3
CJ Senior Member+ Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 5,759 Images: 48	When faced w/a new & extreme amount of grass, I put them out for @ 20 mins max, and slowly ramp up from there. It doesnt take much extra grass to cause a problem. When mine were changed from a bad bald place to one that was still pretty thin (think astroturf) they still got enough by comparison to make themselves uncomfortable for a day or two. Short sessions kept them from getting sick at the rental & house, which were knee/Deep in grass. __________________ One Mare Can Make a Difference Pinky Ribbon

04-05-2008, 08:53 AM	#4
countryacres Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,192 Images: 65 Blog Entries: 1	I agree with it what has been said. And wanted to ad that when you put him out the first several time do it when he was had most of his morning hay. So that he is not hungry when he goes out. __________________ The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb It's a lot like nuts and bolts - if the rider's nuts, the horse bolts! ~Nicholas Evans Be yourself b/c those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.

04-05-2008, 12:34 PM	#5
luttrellfarms Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 350	Horses and cows both will be loose when new grass comes out. If, where he is now, does not have a lot of grass, then he should get used to it as it comes in and by the time you move him he should be adjusted. However, it is very smart to keep an eye on him. __________________ Tony R. Luttrell www.angelfire.com/trek/landrfarms

04-06-2008, 04:21 PM	#6
Shay's Sunshine Full Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 268 Images: 13	well, there are two horses lame today - they have been on the grass for about 3 weeks - how long before they are out of danger? They are all still a little loose. BTW what does lamintis/founder loook like?

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