[drafts]

Okay, I have never in my life owned a mini or shetland, until now.
I have heard they are more prone to founder. Is that because they are such easy keepers, and are prone to being over weight, or is it genetic?

If a Shetland's diet consists of only hay and grazing, can he eventually spend all day in the pasture grazing, along as his weight is monitored and controlled?

Help me out here, These little guys are a complete mystery to me.

[MissBandit]

I believe the answers are yes all around there Drafts

[Bailey-Boots]

we have 3 shetlands and they all live out 24/7. they are better if they don't have lush green grazing but keeping them grazing all the time is fine if not lami prone.

shettys are usually very good doers so not much is needed to keep the weight on them. ours get a mineral lick and that is about it. its better to have them on poor 'moorland' type grass all the time than only out part time on lush green grass

ours are on napalmed grass but still look like little bouncing bombs

[wyldterv]

Originally Posted by drafts

Okay, I have never in my life owned a mini or shetland, until now.
I have heard they are more prone to founder. Is that because they are such easy keepers, and are prone to being over weight, or is it genetic?

Ponies were bred to be thrifty in harsh environments in general, so yes they are genetically predisposed to being very easy keepers, doing well off of poor forage. Hence why they TEND to be more prone to weight gain issues, including founder.

If a Shetland's diet consists of only hay and grazing, can he eventually spend all day in the pasture grazing, along as his weight is monitored and controlled?

Help me out here, These little guys are a complete mystery to me.

I think, you may find that all day of pasture grazing could be TOO Much time. You will probably need to have a dry lot and only allow for SOME hours of the day. The Appy I have, Lexi, is a VERY easy keeper. She can NOT be out on grazing 24/7 our she gets FAT in a hurry. So she's dry lotted with 5 hours of field grazing a day total, that keeps her weight at optimal levels. Most people I know who are serious with their ponies and minis also dry lot and only turn out for x-amount of hours a day on fields to ensure no excessive weight gains.

[Jennie09]

I have three miniatures, and they are in the pasture 24/7 we havent had any problems with any of them foundering, but are grass isnt lush.

[Bailey-Boots]

that is great advice Wyld

It just depends on your environment and the type of grass that you do have - you can also strip graze them so the grass reduces but they still have something to pick at other than just being a bit bored in a pen.

If you can keep the grass unfertilised that will also help reduce the amount they get to eat.

[wyldterv]

Originally Posted by Bailey-Boots

that is great advice Wyld

It just depends on your environment and the type of grass that you do have - you can also strip graze them so the grass reduces but they still have something to pick at other than just being a bit bored in a pen.

If you can keep the grass unfertilised that will also help reduce the amount they get to eat.

Yes strip grazing is nice too, especially if you let the larger horses graze down the lusher stuff first and then put the ponies in for 'clean up' duties!

We tend to have VERY lush pastures here with all of our moderate climate, hence why dry lots become your friend for a horse that is as easy a keeper as I am, LOL.....

With Lexi, her 'dry lot' is really just an over grazed paddock, she can clip away at the bits of grass still there and not balloon up to looking like she's 11 ms preggers!!!!!!!!!!!! (which she DID earlier this summer, I was YIKES I need to DIET This mare and THAT was being WORKED daily!!!)

[MissBandit]

Remember that an over grazed pasture actually carries more danger for a laminitic prone animal than an under grazed pasture.... So do not make the mistake to assume ponys will never founder off of short pasture - moderation is the key no matter what. If you are really concerned about it, you can keep him off the grass during the danger times: 11am - 4pm and on a bright sunny day after a bout of rain.

[MissBandit]

Originally Posted by MissBandit

Remember that an over grazed pasture actually carries more danger for a laminitic prone animal than an under grazed pasture.... .

And knowing that somebody will question why I will tell you that is due to the fact that the sugars are more concentrated closest to the bulb. When pastures are undergrazed and long and frightening looking, the top half of the grass is actually very low in sugar (bitter). Which is why you will see horses tend to go for the short stuff (sweet) before the long stuff if they have a choice.

[wyldterv]

Originally Posted by MissBandit

And knowing that somebody will question why I will tell you that is due to the fact that the sugars are more concentrated closest to the bulb. When pastures are undergrazed and long and frightening looking, the top half of the grass is actually very low in sugar (bitter). Which is why you will see horses tend to go for the short stuff (sweet) before the long stuff if they have a choice.

That is true if you have a laminitic prone horse or pony, or a horse or pony with IR issues you would want a true dry lot. If you have a horse that has never had a Lami incident nor any IR problems then short grazing can usually keep them at optimal weight.