Overnight grazing?

[sapph22]

This is probably just me overthinking, but it’s nice to have people weigh in to easy worry. I self-board, two mares on a couple of acres pasture. They graze during the day, but I bring them in at night (so they don’t get too porky.) I had something come up and can’t find anyone to bring them in tomorrow night. If I just leave them out, they’re gonna be fine, yes? There won’t be any drastic changes in temp or weather overnight, but they only started full day grazing a few weeks ago. They’ve been on 24/7 pasture in the past without issue but have been coming in at night for the last couple of summers.

My other option is to run out there really late, like midnight late, to close the gates. But failing that, would 7 extra hours of pasture access cause harm?

[Bluey]

Consider that some studies have shown that horses will graze so long, not more than that.

If they are out 24/7 they will graze so many hours, stand around or lay down the rest of the time.

If they are out half a day, they will still eat the same amount, rest more when kept up.

So, maybe it doesn’t matter so much when or how long you leave them out between half a day or the whole day?

Now, there may be other to consider, when are they safer/cooler/warmer/less bugs and so more comfortable out or in?
When is it more convenient to how we manage, feed, ride?

Edited to add, can’t find the article now, but will say, you know your horses.
To do what seems best for them is always a good idea.

If you are worried about them out so long, don’t.
If you feel they will be ok, then why not?

[S1969]

Well, it might be too long for your horses not to become obese. Two of my 3 would explode if they had 24/7 grazing - mine have night turnout on pasture in the summer and drylot with a couple of flakes of hay during the day. My TB mare would be fine.

But it really depends on the horse and the quality of your pasture.

In theory - no, it’s not unsafe. Horses were meant to graze. In reality - many pastures are too rich for constant grazing, particularly for certain types/breeds of horses.

[warriorhorse]

They will be fine for 24/7 this one time, you can’t bring them in for the night. No need to worry.

[Toblersmom]

One night with no “weather” expectations? Shouldn’t be a problem if they have plenty of water. If it was going to be more of a long-term thing you might need to worry more about overweight and such, but I doubt even the most piggish of ponies would be able to do much harm to himself with a few extra hours in a familiar, already grazed pasture.

[Redlei44]

My only worry might be whether they’d run or pace the gate if they’re used to a strict schedule for getting dinner in their stalls. Otherwise they’ll probably be fine!

[Guilherme]

@sapph22

This is probably just me overthinking, but it’s nice to have people weigh in to easy worry. I self-board, two mares on a couple of acres pasture. They graze during the day, but I bring them in at night (so they don’t get too porky.) I had something come up and can’t find anyone to bring them in tomorrow night. If I just leave them out, they’re gonna be fine, yes? There won’t be any drastic changes in temp or weather overnight, but they only started full day grazing a few weeks ago. They’ve been on 24/7 pasture in the past without issue but have been coming in at night for the last couple of summers.

My other option is to run out there really late, like midnight late, to close the gates. But failing that, would 7 extra hours of pasture access cause harm?

The short answer is “no” as long as there is nothing more going on than you have indicated.

G.

[DiamondJubilee]

I had to do this the other day for my ponies and all was good in the morning!

My guys also are on pasture for 12-14hr/day and in at night to keep them from overeating. It has worked well for me for years and my farm help called in sick that morning that he was suppose to be bringing my guys in at night. So I just left them out in the pasture and had him come the following night to bring them in.

They were all good in the morning and were totally fine after that. They didnt appear to have run to come in and were happy to be out there in the morning.

[JB]

Barring metabolic issues, a typical transition phase for horses returning to full time pasture includes a final step of leaving them out overnight once they’ve acclimated to all day for a couple weeks, so your deal tonight falls into that. And since they have been pastured 24x7 in the past without (I assume) issues, it will be fine.

[Janet]

It is an article by the (University associated) M.A.R.E Center in Middleburg.

The net result is that, if you want to reduce the amount of grass they eat, you need to reduce the grazing time to less than 4 hours.

Anything more than 4 hours, they eat the same amount of grass. whether they are out 4 hours or 24 hours.

I will see if I can find a link.

[Janet]

A separate issue, if you have horses that are laminitis-prone, is that the sugar level in the grass is, IIRC, highest in the early morning.

[warriorhorse]

@Janet

It is am article by the (University associated) M.A.R.E Center in Middleburg.

The net result is that, if you want to reduce the amount of grass they at, you need to reduce the grazing time to less than 4 hours.

Anything more than 4 hours, they eat the same amount of grass. whether they are out 4 hours or 24 hours.

I will see if I can find a link.

That’s interesting about the more than 4 hours they eat the same amount of grass. Be interesting to to see the data on it.

I don’t even transition my 2 to pasture, mid April beginning of may. I open gate to pasture and their out 24/7. They get the green grass poops but only last at most 2 weeks.

[JB]

@Janet

A separate issue, if you have horses that are laminitis-prone, is that the sugar level in the grass is, IIRC, highest in the early morning.

Lowest

All else equal, sugars accumulate during the day, and are used up at night. 3-10am are the lowest levels of sugars.

@warriorhorse

I don’t even transition my 2 to pasture, mid April beginning of may. I open gate to pasture and their out 24/7. They get the green grass poops but only last at most 2 weeks.

One of these days you’re going to cause colic or laminitis, just like you did when you tossed out that round bale of oat hay :no:

[Palm_Beach]

@sapph22

This is probably just me overthinking, but it’s nice to have people weigh in to easy worry. I self-board, two mares on a couple of acres pasture. They graze during the day, but I bring them in at night (so they don’t get too porky.) I had something come up and can’t find anyone to bring them in tomorrow night. If I just leave them out, they’re gonna be fine, yes? There won’t be any drastic changes in temp or weather overnight, but they only started full day grazing a few weeks ago. They’ve been on 24/7 pasture in the past without issue but have been coming in at night for the last couple of summers.

My other option is to run out there really late, like midnight late, to close the gates. But failing that, would 7 extra hours of pasture access cause harm?

I have mine out all night and in during the day. The are stalled 9 AM to 4 PM when the fructans are at the highest, and some are muzzled as well. You can always put muzzles on them and leave them out with no worries.

[Beth1]

Better to graze at night and off pasture during the day. Less sugars at night.