For concerns about sudden weight gain or potential laminitis in your horse or pony, the safest policy is to:
Forage should be number 1
before any hard feed rations.
Weight is hard to shift.
Get in early before weight goes on.
Check crest for firmness.
A hard crest is a precursor to laminitis.
“Both horses and ponies are prone to rapid weight gain in spring or autumn. This can be an unsafe time and steps are necessary to manage”
TIP: Walk around your property or grazing and identify the paddocks with low sugar varieties as this can vary greatly paddock to paddock. If possible, select the paddock with the lower sugar grasses to set up your grazing regime.
TIP: The best grasses for horses are those high in fibre and low in sugar, such as Timothy, Brown Top and Cocks foot.
Kikukyu and Yorkshire fog are low sugar types and ok in some moderation, but not ideal. In the case of Kikukyu ensure additional calcium is added to the diet due to the binding effect (of calcium) that this grass has.
Grasses that are exceptionally high in sugar and in particular when they are in fast growth mode are Rye and Clover. These are not safe for susceptible horses and ponies most of the year and require strict pasture management to avoid problems such as obesity, fizzy behaviour, colic or laminitis in your horse or pony.
TIP: Research grass types – look at pictures and become familiar with grasses on your property or grazing facility
TIP: Make a calculated call where to set up your grazing strip this spring based on grasses
TIP: Be aware if you only have high sugar grasses. These need limited grazing time for susceptible horses and ponies. But do feed hay in its place.
It is common place to see miserable ponies locked up with very little to eat. This is unfair and not a great life.
These tips will have your horse happy and healthy and not standing idle and miserable!
TIP: If possible select the paddock with the lower grasses to set up your grazing regime.
TIP: Strip graze and hang a couple of hay nets around the paddock.
TIP: Soak hay for 1 hour to reduce sugars (if need be) and hang in hay nets around paddock.
TIP: Make your grazing an oblong shape instead of square – this encourages movement and adds interest
TIP: Make use of hills! Set up your oblong pattern on a hill side to promote exercise.
TIP: Aim to make your Oblong longer each day to form a small track!
RECOMMEND Mag-Eze for healthy function.
Mag-Eze chelated magnesium has a role in healthy function of metabolic horses and ponies and assimilation of fat.
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