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Beware of Lush Green Pastures

It's springtime and the pastures are turning lush and green. It has lots of tasty new growth. Time to cut back on feeding the hay and turn the horses out into the grass.

STOP right there! All that lush spring grass can be fatal to the horses.

Horses grazing in the pasture Just think. The horses haven't seen grass for a number of months and are craving for it by now. Yummy! (At least to the horse it is.) Compare it to a child in a candy store. If they (the horse) eat the grass all day, they will end up with a tummy ache, better known as colic. And as all of us horse people know, colic can be fatal.

When the spring grasses start coming in, begin putting the horses out for short periods of time and gradually increase the time until their digestive systems are used to the grass. The best way to do that is to put them out for about 1/2 an hour for a few days. Then increase the time to maybe 1 hour for another few days and 2 hours the next few days and so on until they are out for most of the day. The horses may be unhappy being out for such a short time, and yes it is a bit of an inconvenience, but in the long run you will be grateful for it because you will not have to call the veterinarian out for an emergency call. Believe me, that can run into mega bucks, not to mention possibly losing your horse.

So, go ahead and put the horses out into the pasture, but remember to start out slow. In the long run, it will save your horse's life.

Posted by Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential & Horse Properties on 04/20/2008 09:18 AM

Comments (16)

pastures, horses, colic

Post is included in group: Horse Property Specialists
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16 Comments on Beware of Lush Green Pastures

Good post we work with horse people here so this was interesting to me. Thanks

04/20/2008 09:24 AM

by Charlie Ragonesi Big Canoe Realestate Jasper,Ellijay,Ball Ground,Benttree (All Mountain Realty)

Brigita, I've never been around horses but apparently you have! Lucky girl, the pics of the ranch look delightful. Thanks for sharing the info.

04/20/2008 09:25 AM

by Pat Enterrios (Coldwell Banker SkyRidge Realty)

I sent this to my sister. She didnt know this!

04/20/2008 09:32 AM

by Laura Jefferson (Asset Realty)

Charlie:

My pleasure.

04/20/2008 09:33 AM

by Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential & Horse Properties (Vision Realty Group)

Pat:

You're quite welcome.

04/20/2008 09:34 AM

by Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential & Horse Properties (Vision Realty Group)

the crayzy things I learn on active ran!! Don't have a horse but found it interesting. Thanks for sharing

04/20/2008 09:34 AM

by Scott Benson (Connect Financial Services)

Brigita: Good post! I had no idea that a horse could get colic from too much grass.

04/20/2008 09:34 AM

by Linda Tremblay, Bucks County Real Estate (Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, PA License #AB065488)

Laura:

I'm all for educating horse owners.

04/20/2008 09:36 AM

by Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential & Horse Properties (Vision Realty Group)

Scott:

AR does give you quite an education.

04/20/2008 09:37 AM

by Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential & Horse Properties (Vision Realty Group)

Linda:

You learn something new everyday.

04/20/2008 09:38 AM

by Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential & Horse Properties (Vision Realty Group)

Brigita...they shouldn't eat grass...they should smoke it Then they will only want some sugar cubes...LOL

I can't believe I typed that...you bring out the devil in me some times...LOL

04/21/2008 07:14 AM

by BLRGUY(Beach & Luxury Realty Inc)

I couldn't agree more, I lost my "soul mate" horse to colic and he was only 6...still hurts...the only thing I can add is if they are already in a paddock (full time turnout) the grass comes up slowly enough that they get used to it as it comes in. the paddock that is resting is the one I have to monitor more tho...

04/21/2008 04:50 PM

by PATRICE BRICE (PB APPRAISALS)

BLR Guy:

I didn't know I had the capability to do that.

04/22/2008 06:08 AM

by Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential & Horse Properties (Vision Realty Group)

Patrice:

My sympathies for your loss. I have sat with horses going through colic and it is not something I enjoy going through. Thanks for your input.

04/22/2008 06:10 AM

by Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential & Horse Properties (Vision Realty Group)

Thanx Brigita, although it was 6 yrs ago, it still feels like yesterday...

04/23/2008 05:18 PM

by PATRICE BRICE (PB APPRAISALS)

Patrice:

I know what you mean. I had to put my old guy (he was my first) down about 7 years ago and I still have that picture in my mind.

04/24/2008 06:14 AM

by Brigita McKelvie - Lehigh Valley, PA, Residential & Horse Properties (Vision Realty Group)

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