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Question about pastures in winter

Horse Care
#1

I am back with some more feeding questions. But some things have changed. For one, my 2 horses are no longer being boarded. My boyfriend bought a place with 5 acres and 3 acres are for horses. So we moved the boys out to their new place on October 18. They have a fairly large covered area, previous owner made runs, I have since opened it up so they could have more room.
At first I was limiting their turn out, letting them out for only a few hours at a time since they weren’t use to having 3 acres to graze on. And slowly increases their time out, until they were grazing all day and I would bring them in feed them their grain, shut the gate at night.
I am giving them 1 lb of Enrich Plus AM/PM
1/2 cup of Omega Horse Shine, 1/2 lb of alfalfa pellets
I have also started giving them one treat of Probiotic Treat and electrolytes.
Hay in their slow feeder box plus hay in 2 hay bags.
So Monday we got snow and wind…I fed them and I opened the gate to let them graze if they chose to do so, I have 2 slow feeder nets big enough to hold almost a full hay bale, i filled those up along with their slow feeder box, plus another top loading hay bag…
They went out grazed for a few minutes and come right back in to eat hay plus to get out of the wind. But this is what I have noticed since leaving the gate open for grazing 24/7 they come in to drink and lay down but they don’t go through their hay like they have been. They still munch on it but they are still grazing. Are they getting full on the grass even though its winter? But I would think they aren’t getting the nutritional value from the grass since its winter like they would be if it was say spring? But I think they look good, and I am thinking that I should just feed them the Enrich and cut out OmegaShine and the pellets. I will get pictures tomorrow.
Oh I bought a mineral block from Atwood’s 23% Winner Mineral Block and it’s already gone, does that mean they arent getting the necessary mineral from the Enrich?

Thank you in advance

#2

I understand that horses self regulate for salt but not for the other minerals so mineral blocks are not a great idea.

If you are feeding a fortified feed pick one where you can feed the total recommended amoubt. If you have easy keepers choose a ration balancer and feed the whole amount. If you have harder keepers choose a higher caolrur feed and again whole amount. Not just a cup. If you have an airfern then a vitamin mineral supplement in a tiny beet pulp mash.

If they have hay out 24/7 whatever they eat is fine. There is still nutrition in dead winter grass if they like to eat that.

Ideal would be to get both your hay and pasture grass tested and failing that, to find out the general mineral profile of your soil in your region. If it’s high iron or high or low selenium for Instance that influenced what supplements you might feed.

#3

Your 23% Winner’s Circle Horse Block does contain (some) minerals, but its a 23% protein block (much like the big tubs for cattle). For horses in heavy work/training or for hard keepers, I’d think using that 23% block would be fine. I’d be concerned its too much protein for just an average horse with moderate or no work in winter, that’s still got some pasture and getting a good quality hay + meals. If they are eating it like its candy, I’d not replace it!

I use the standard white salt block and the red mineral block - horses can choose which one to lick/chew. Each in its own pan - kept in their run-in shed. I use the huge ones - not the little ones that fit in a feed bucket.

Your grass has probably pretty much gone dormant now, and is beige/brown/gray. And no, it doesn’t have the same nutrients as spring/summer/fall grasses but it does still contribute to their roughage/fiber/carb intake in winter. That’s why the nutrients in your feed/hay need to take up the slack of what the winter grass doesn’t provide.

Since this is your first winter with your horses at home, some adjustments will probably be needed. Keep a close eye on water intake, their poops (are they normal, mushy, runny?), and them looking/acting cold. Do they have decent winter coats? Their coat thickness and luster can often be a good sign of whether they are getting a proper diet. And of course, if they start to get a bit ribby, then up their hay to free choice, and (perhaps) increase their feed (I do hay first, then if they are struggling to maintain weight, up grain or switch to something with extra fat in winter).

Congrats on your new place!

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#4

I have found that horses will always choose to lick a new brand of mineral block (or just a new one) a lot at first. They are flavored and kind of a treat at first. Once the novelty wears off I don’t find my horses licking it down quickly. So, while I agree that they may not regulate their minerals as well as if you specifically dose them, I wouldn’t assume they are deficient. Some of the blocks are tastier than others; I try to buy the ones that they don’t love but will use (usually the more expensive ones).

As for pasture - some horses will eat pasture until it’s gone and only then switch to hay. I have one like that and she will eat the roots and all. Which is really bad for your pasture because those bare spots will fill in with weeds! I would not worry about them (yet)…but keep an eye on them…more for the health of your pasture. Horses won’t usually starve themselves but they will ruin your grass.

My horses are locked off their bigger 3 acre pasture now. Once we have a hard freeze and some snow cover I will usually let them back on it and throw hay for them - because they like the view from over there. For now they are on about 1.5 acres of a “sacrifice pasture” where I don’t care if the grass is ruined.

#5

I have plenty of green grass and the horses are still muzzled. For the best information on pasture, read safergrass.org. Katy Watts is a real person with real credentials and can provide accurate information.

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#6

They are drinking good, and their poop is normal. Winter coats are thick and shiny, I posted pictures of the 2 boys. I think they look better then what they did when they were at the boarding barn. So I must be doing something right.

This is the first time they have been out on 3 acres so I was concerned that I was doing something wrong.

Is this what you are talking about when you say red mineral block:
https://www.atwoods.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=mineral+blocks+for+horses

#7

That is a concern - we have had our first snow this week and temps at night in the low teens… so letting them graze on it right now 24/7 is ok? But is there a time when i should take them off and let the pasture rest if you will?

#8

Three acres probably won’t tolerate being used while wet and muddy, so it may be a good idea to limit their access at those times. Like @S1969, I have my pasture closed for now and horses on the sacrifice area. The pasture is just too soft and the horses will destroy it. Once we get a solid freeze and some snow, they can go back out without tearing it up.

#9

If you are feeding a daily grain make sure they get their minerals and an ounce of salt in that. Have a white salt block for extra salt if they want it.

#10

Your horse’s look good obviously the enrich plus is working. Yeah i’d keep them off pasture if its wet 3 acres isn’t much and don’t want it torn up. Put out loose salt in a pan or bucket if under shelter it will be fine,horse’s will eat what they need. When really cold they tend not to lick on the blocks,but will eat loose salt. Mine drink plenty of water having access to loose salt.

Don’t put salt in feed and force feed it . Horse’s don’t always want salt ,they will self regulate & eat what they need. Really how would you like eating salty meals every day?? My own horse’s won’t touch feed with salt added to it.

#11

It depends on the local environment. Our soil is low in minerals. Horse is constantly at her salt block. They need a lot of salt. In our area it makes sense to put an ounce in the mash. Perhaps if you are in a salty or alkali area, you don’t need to. Also obviously if the horse won’t eat a mash with added salt, don’t do it.

But adding salt to a mash is standard practice especially if the horse sweats a lot.

#12

More than anything you just have to watch/inspect pastures closely. It’s hard to look at them as you drive by, for example, and know if there is enough grass for grazing or if it’s overgrazed, or if there are deep hoof prints, etc… Since you are new to the farm it will be important to walk your pastures regularly and really get a good look at them, and then you can decide how to manage them.

My soil is 100% heavy clay. Does not drain, not a rock for miles. It just can’t hold up to horses when it’s soft; horses can sink 10" deep if they gallop on it when really wet. In summer, it’s hard as a rock, and it’s quite fertile. Less than 10 miles from me is mostly sand; horse owners have totally different issues with their pastures and farms, like washing out after heavy rains and grass being spotty because the soil isn’t sufficient for grazing.

So your pastures are unique to you - and only by knowing how your horses are using/abusing them can you make management decisions.

#13

Yes - trace mineral block for horses. That’s it. :slight_smile:

You are fortunate at your place to have shed/runs that open to a larger pasture. That way if it is muddy/slick you can close the gate to the pasture area so they don’t churn it all up. So you can regulate when the do/don’t go out to graze. I wish I had that setup on my 4 acres front pasture. My rear pasture has the shed in a 1/2 acre paddock that opens to a large field. In all the rain we’ve had, the two in the back are not being let out on the pasture right now, until it drys up or the ground is frozen. They just get some extra hay on days they aren’t let out to graze.

#14

And your horses are adorable by the way. :slight_smile:

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#15

So when I went Atwoods I got one of those salt mineral blocks and a salt block. Put both of them out together…

So, should I let them out to graze during the day and bring them in at night? Or should I let them graze at night bring them in the morning? Is there a certain number of hours I should let them graze?

When I do let them graze should I cut back on their RB?

#16

I bring my two in at night and lock them in the paddock (on days when I let them out to begin with). I bring them in at 4PM and give them their grain/dinner. I don’t cut back on grain in winter on days when they are grazing. They just don’t get much out of the dormant grass. But as grazers, they will keep eating it all winter. The trick is to not let them root the whole pasture up. So, moderating access is needed so you don’t ruin your pretty pasture. :slight_smile:

#17

Totally depends on how the pasture is doing.

When I do let them graze should I cut back on their RB?

Nope.

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#18

The ration balancer is making up for the minerals and vitamins your horses aren’t getting from hay and dormant grass. So it makes no sense to cut back on it days that they graze.

If you have enough land per horse and the pasture holds up there is no reason they can’t stay out 24/7 all winter, with access to a shelter.

Pasture in the same area differs so much. I know one magic pasture on good river bottom land where horses thrive all year round with extra round bales only when it snows. I have seen pastures on other soil turned into churned up mud in 3 months of similar use. And I ve seen high ground pastures basically dried up by July and need round bales. All these within 45 minute drive of each other.

Limiting pasture access in winter is entirely about preserving pasture.

#19

You need to know what is growing in your pasture before these questions can be answered.

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