Grass re-acclimation and frost

[Baytb2005]

I’m in the process of reintroducing my horse to grass after 10 months of stall rest and no grass. He’s currently at 1 hr 45 min. He does not have metabolic problems and lived out 24/7 on pasture prior to his injury without issue. That said, he has a sensitive stomach and has had gas problems during stall rest and I have had to take the grass transition exceptionally slow due to this (we’ve been working on grass acclimation for 5 weeks). Here is the question. We are facing our first frosts and possible freeze the next few nights with warmer, sunny days. Then we will have a general warm up. (I’m on an northern Virginia). I know this skyrockets sugar content. Would you:

1. keep slowly increasing grazing time
2. stay at current grazing time ( if so, how long based on the weather)?
3. decrease grazing time (if so, by how much and for how long)?

I’ve done a ton of reading but can’t figure out what is right in this situation, as most of what I read applies to IR/metabolic horses. Thanks!!

[luvmyhackney]

If he’s already at 1 hr 45 min without issues you are probably fine to increase time by an hour or two each week till on full time grass.

Just check for pulses and any warmness in feet just in case. Plus any gut changes, pull back amount.

You can always muzzle to reduce intake.

[colorfan]

Normally morning grass is lower in sugar than afternoon or evening grass but a frost prevents the respiration and growth of the plant so the sugar stored in the plant isn’t used up overnight.

I think, considering what you have gone through, I would reduce his grass intake after a frost and if I remember correctly, cloudy days the sugar content stays high, sunny days reduce the sugar content.

Check out 'Safer Grass", you may find more specific help there.

[PaddockWood]

Does this help?

[Alterwho]

@colorfan

if I remember correctly, cloudy days the sugar content stays high, sunny days reduce the sugar content.

No, it’s the opposite. Sun increases sugar content

[colorfan]

Yes, of course, you are right…but somewhere I remember reading about a difference after a frost…