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FullCircle
Gold Member
 Scotland
554 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 07:17:17 AM
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I wonder, do you think there will be an increase in welfare cases this year due to the late start on the grass/lack of it growing? How many people will turf their horses out to graze and not supplement their feeding and find that their horses are in trouble? I know most sensible people are already keeping an eye on things, but there possibly will people that just aren't as clued up?
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pinkvboots
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3290 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 09:49:46 AM
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| The farm next door to me opened there fields 24-7 on Saturday, thing is its the same field that has been grazed all winter and although the grass is growing there is still not much but I know people will leave the horses out regardless, Quite a few are just pets not ridden and are looking very thin after winter so yes I think many horses will be looking poor coming into spring, so many people think because the horse is out all the time it is not going to need hay. Really the grass has not grown much in months as its been too cold so they will need hay for a while yet I would think. |
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Quarabian
Platinum Member
Wales
4340 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 10:03:50 AM
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I am already in trouble. The grass hasn't started growing yet and we have used nearly all the haylage for sheep and cattle that would normally be grazing at this time of year.
Hope I can get some reasonable hay soon as I have to go right around to august before this years haylage can be used. That is presuming we can make some!! |
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Vik1
Platinum Member
1711 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 10:21:26 AM
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Its those who dont realise the lack of grass is causing probs that concern me. Was speaking to an older patient at work the other day. She said she had a pbw thats out 24/7 all year. We got chatting about feeding etc and she said she had noticed that he had seemed ribby and the underside of his belly looked tense ie the tucked up look. She said she thought he looked wormy and maybe it was lack of grass. I agreed about the lack of grass and that the tucked up looked is often due to lack of fibre passing through the gut. To which she said, she didnt agree in feeding hay because of the respiratory problems associated. So this horse is getting fed horse and pony nuts once a day, next to no grass and no hay. She said he was eating the reeds in the field. It must be starving when its resorted to eating them. Mine hate them.
I tried discreetly encouraging her to feed hay but she left my work with no intention of it. If it was an ordinary situ I would of said get some hay out in the field but it was a bit awkward being in the nurse-patient scenario with her already anxious about to have surgery. |
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FullCircle
Gold Member
Scotland
554 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 12:07:46 PM
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At my yard we're not turning out. Sammy had a luxury of being out for about six hours on Saturday -but we've got one sacrificial field that we're sharing between 10 horses all getting a wee shot for a while. There's nothing to eat in it, but it's in good nick because it's been harrowed and rolled and has stayed dry for now. But even though the weather is decent, YO is going to keep us off fields for a bit longer so he can get them seeded and fertilised.
I keep reading that the price of feed is going up - and no wonder with the crap growing seasons we've had. But how many people will just think "sod it, that's what grass (ha, what grass!) is for..."
One of our local hay suppliers lost a whole shed full of hay when his roof leaked and everything got soaked. Even what was salvageable was full of seeds and dust anyway.
Sorry, am being a moan. Just keeping fingers crossed for a better summer! |
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carole ferguson
Silver Member
United Kingdom
457 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 12:17:13 PM
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My grass is just trying to start growing - but I have mine in at night with feeds and haynets - and I am putting the best part of a bale of hay out every day - for 4 horses and 1 Dartmoor pony. They aren't eating all of it - but the deer probably come in overnight to eat some - as they won't have anything to eat yet either.
I hope things pick up soon - we just need it a bit warmer please |
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alison
Platinum Member
Wales
1810 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 12:28:03 PM
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I can't believe I'm still feeding hay and feeds everyday for my two, they come in everyday for 5/6 hours and also have 2/3 nights in. The grass just isn't growing at the moment. We have just had a few days rain though and now it's lovely and sunny so hopefully things are about to change.
Alison |
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SuziQ
Gold Member
England
922 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 12:36:47 PM
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It is a worry, though as long as they arent too skinny it is probably safer having them go into spring lean than covered.
Their are a number of coloured cobs out in the marshes near where I live..week beofre last I phoned the guy whos number I had and let him know that he had a mare that had foaled and foalie didnt look too special. He came and picked them up and since them has been putting out a round bale every day. Saw him putting the mare back with her foal and another, she is looking after. Older girl he took at the same time as the other one didnt make it. Grass has been terrible. He has about 20 mares on 56 acres..usually they are fat as houses. |
Everyone in my life brings me happiness, some by arriving others by leaving. |
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Cinnypony
Gold Member
1160 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 1:31:13 PM
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My grass is coming through emerald green now.
However apart from when we introduce Blaze to the 2 girls on Thursday, they will get no grass for a least another month or so, ie until we are past the spring flush. I had 5 large round bales of hay delivered on Friday evening, so should have at least enough left for another month.
Can't fathom people who won't feed hay/haylage when they are turned out, if there's no grass are they supposed to eat thin air..... |
    
Cinnabar Moth --------------- -----------CF Matilda ----Red House Gaia
Susi
https://www.facebook.com/CinnabarEndurance/ |
Edited by - Cinnypony on 15 Apr 2013 1:32:13 PM |
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joanna_piana
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3935 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 1:47:40 PM
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| It is scary how quickly they can lose weight without enough grass. I moved Beau in November to where Ishara is and just assumed as he'd always been fine living out he'd be fine here too. He has always been a good doer since I had him so was shocked at how quick he dropped off even though had only just gone onto winter grazing with less horses but the fields got eaten down in a month and then usually he'd be getting hay come December but they don't do that as all native types who live on fresh air. I moved him back to where he was before as they have ad lib haylage everyday but it has been really slow getting the weight back on even with hard feed which normally he only gets when he's ridden but feeding him everyday still. Lets hope this warm wet weather gets the grass going now! So sad for the horses on Bodmin moor and goodness knows how many more elsewhere are in the same way. |
      
Harthall Rashida RIP, Binley Ishara, Bouchan
Chorleywood, Hertfordshire |
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hazelcat74
Silver Member
472 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 3:27:26 PM
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| I am lucky to be on a yard with 80 acres so there is enough land for the horses to winter out and mine have done fine with a feed and haylage every day.However the farmers grand daughter breeds Fell ponies, and they don't give them any hay or any food unless it snows, because apparently fell ponies don't need it, yes I know they are hardy but when there is no grass left what are the poor things living on?? There are some 2yr olds in the field next to me and they are quite poor, at least here the grass is starting to come through but we do feel very sorry for them. |
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debs
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
3218 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 3:53:00 PM
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Think I am quite lucky, our grass doesn't look much but they do well on it. They would be out fulltime (like most of last winter) but in at nights just to preserve it as so wet. Ali looks nice and trim, in anyone elses terms they would probably say he is still to fat! 
Grass definitely coming through, can tell when I muck out!
I'm sure there will be lots of sad cases, with the lack of grass and cashflow it will be very difficult for some. |
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 4:50:45 PM
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| I don't have much grass, but the horses are looking well, I can see it growing this week and its gone all green! I have had to buy extra hay because my barn was leaking and a lot was ruined, but the horses are in at night and out all day now and not eating as much hay as a few weeks back. I will be chain harrowing and rolling later this week, so the fields will look like new!! |
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 6:05:14 PM
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Our grass gas started growing this week, so hopefully the herd will be able to move to the summer 45 acres in a fortnight or so; until then I'll continue feeding and they'll continue to get daily hay.
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.
South-East Essex |
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ali bali
Gold Member
Scotland
641 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 6:29:22 PM
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| Today my field went from yellow to green overnight but it will be a good few weeks before there is enough to sustain them. Hopefully spring has finally sprung! |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 10:10:38 PM
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| The ponies on the mountain here normally only get hay if there is snow on the ground but they have been feeding them for weeks now, they need it as they are starting to foal. |
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brack369
Gold Member
559 Posts |
Posted - 15 Apr 2013 : 10:38:17 PM
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Mine are still on their winter paddock as I can't reach my summer paddock due to almost knee high mud on route. It dried up last week so they got some good grass but after the rain at the weekend I'm unable to reach the rested paddock.
Even my good doer has lost weight this year, which I'm actually quite glad about, as I tend to worry more about her getting too fat during spring |
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FullCircle
Gold Member
Scotland
554 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2013 : 05:54:04 AM
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yes brack369, my good doer has slimmed down somewhat which frankly I'm happy for. However, because he's getting a bit older and my schedule isn't really allowing me to do much work he's getting rather stiff stood in a stable for such long periods. Carrot stretches are the way forward for now I think!
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Esther
Gold Member
United Kingdom
866 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2013 : 06:17:51 AM
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| Ours have just started backing off the hay over the last couple of days, and what was a charge for the gate when we turned up with feeds has reduced to a steady mosey. So hopefully spring is now on its way. |
paranoid horsemother
 
Photo on far right thanks to West End Photography
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glo
Gold Member
England
1297 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2013 : 07:32:46 AM
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| I have noticed that as well, mine are not in a hurry to come in anymore. Hopefully they can say out soon, but I find it easer if they are in over night! |
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tamila
Platinum Member
England
2532 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2013 : 07:58:50 AM
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| My 29 year old lady has dropped weight this year for the first time in her life although she has never ever been overweight. I was giivng them haylage but all they were doing was trampling it into the ground and wandering off to eat grass. They are on 9 acres(2 horses) and are having two hard feeds a day. She is fit enough and is still trotting an cantering around. I have added barley rings to her feed now and she is beginning to look better. She has 3lbs Equipower, 1lb barley rings and large amounts of sugar beet. They have a bucket of Hi-Fi twice a day as well. Roll on Spring. |
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kate maciver
Bronze Member
Scotland
66 Posts |
Posted - 16 Apr 2013 : 12:21:46 PM
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| Even up here in the north the grass is coming through - next thing we will be worried about laminitis! - one worry to another! |
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Goldenmane
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
4964 Posts |
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welfare and lack of grass....
