My mare gets really bloated and gassy when she first goes onto the summer fields. This year I am trying a charcoal product that claims to absorb toxins and reduce the gassy buildup. Has anyone else tried charcoal products and do they work?
Magic goes onto summer fields on Saturday so I will let you know how we get on. The charcoal is REALLY messy! If it helps though I will live with black hands for a while.
Our yard rule is to not ride for >48 hours after moving to the summer fields and then when riding, to only walk until the horse has dunged a couple of times (although that's common sense).
Caryn
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud) aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
I introduce mine slowly over a period of weeks to the summer grass.
I start off with half a day then build up to a full day. Then they go out on summer grass over night and back on winter field during day and then after about 2-3 weeks they can go on the summer grass 24/7.
I also bring them in for a few hours before i ride to let their belly's go down a bit (and my mare likes a sleep ). Otherwise they just have no energy and are like a couple of hippos..
I had a part welsh mare that suffered terribly with gas when introduced to new pasture, the answer for her was electric fencing and strip grazing! after a while she was not such a gannet and i could give her more of the paddock.
make some rough fibre available too - course hay or haylage. That way they will regulate themselves. I have had to lift the odd gaseous bloaty belly - massage for a bit then hold hands with someone underneath the pog and gently lift (very gently). Usually results in tuneful relief!!
- V Khazad - V Calacirya & V Sulime - Quarida(L) - V Boogie Knights - V Hamra Tofiq