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Post by Kitty on Dec 31, 2005 18:45:21 GMT 1
Hi I don't know if yu can help me I have a dilemma. I have 2 native ponies (1 in foal) and they are both good do-ers.
They are kept out 24/7 short grass and are fed HiFi-lite and Top Spec feed balancer split into 2xfeeds/day. Also hay - about a bale a day between the two.
The thing is I have access to another field where there is grass but I don't know whether to let them into it or not-I am terrified they might get laminitis. (I lost a pony in the past to laminitis) Non of them have had lami but the fear is there.
Would grass be better for them than the hay or should I keep them as they are?
Any advice gratefully recieved.
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Post by sulasmum on Dec 31, 2005 19:09:30 GMT 1
I think that at this time of year there is not a lot of goodness or nutrients in the grass, but I am sure there are people on here who perhaps know more than I do about it.
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Post by touchstone on Dec 31, 2005 19:15:45 GMT 1
Ahh, the native pony dilemma! I have two fells at home so know exactly what you are going through! They certainly aren't easy! If the grass is fairly long and coarse they should be fine as it will be similar to hay. If it is still fairly green looking it might be worth restricting by just giving them a few hours at a time or strip grazing. I would just say be careful on a sunny day after a frost as the grass will be storing sugars then. It might be worth monitoring you ponies digital pulses as then you will be forewarned if you feel they are raised and can bring them off the grass.
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Post by KoLaTo on Dec 31, 2005 20:11:24 GMT 1
Kitty - I've got my two natives on the same feed as yours and have let them into the 10 acre for the last 3 weeks, the grass is long and not bad quality althou there is loads of it, they haven't put on weight but have actually lost some as they spend so much time flying around like loonies! I've cut down their hay as they weren't bothering with it so much as when they come back into the knackered 3 acre.
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Post by breezeocean4tray on Jan 1, 2006 23:22:58 GMT 1
Hi kitty, Ive also got 2 natives. If i was u i wud defo restrict grazing. As my vet has said she has had loads of cases of laminitis.....
Lv Tray xx
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Post by jor on Jan 2, 2006 12:08:01 GMT 1
Can you not strip graze the field with grass in? Just let them onto a small amount for a few weeks at a time? Worth a thought.
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Post by jenniwren on Jan 2, 2006 16:28:06 GMT 1
Hi Kitty, I have a 24 yr old welsh Cob Sec D and A Part Bred Arab. The Cob is prone to laminitis. This year I have not rugged her at all and am only giving her a handfull of High Fibre cubes and two h.fulls of Happy Hoof just to get some added vitamins and Pro-biotics into her once a day. She has ad lib haylage in the shelter and very short grass in an acre field - the field has only exercise value at the moment. I weigh tape regularly. I am surprised that her weight has steadied at around 385kg - it has been well over 400kg in previous years. She is 14 hands. I'm also wodering if the pro biotics will help reduce the risk of laminitis. Not rugging her has made her body work harder to keep warm. I'm planning to reduce the ad lib feed towards spring time so she looses some weight. Trying to strike a balance is hard. A suggestion of leaving rugs off, monitoring weight and giving minimal dry feed as well keeping an eye on the field's condition eg. the frost as mentioned before would be OK. Spring time and Autumn are the dangerous periods when the grass gets flushed with sugar. Restrict the grasing at those times. It's safer to put them out at night becuase the suger content is at it's lowest. I think that generally we humans interfere too much - nature should be trusted! We have bred horses to survive on poor ground and then put them on rich grass and they can't handle it! Good luck what ever you decide.
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