Stupid question for the day

[rubygirl1968]

I have a Fjord. A fat Fjord with a coat like a yak in Siberia. We recently opened a pasture that has lush grass so they have gone back to muzzles when out of the dry lot.

It’s supposed to flurry tonight and be windy (mid 20’s and 20 mph winds) so would you shut off the lush pasture and feed hay or muzzle and let them eat grass?

I’m torn. I can honestly say Ive never had to muzzle this time of year but this is the first year we’ve saved a pasture and had this much grass so late.

There are 3 others there and one is an old mare who will be blanketed. I’ll probably put some hay out for her and the other normal weight one but the muzzled two haven’t mastered hay with a muzzle.

I overthink things and know there is a lot more horse experience on this forum than I have.

[McGurk]

This is just my .02 cents as a frugal horsekeeper: I can not think of a compelling reason to feed my expensive hay while I still have adequate pasture. Especially with an easy keeper and pasture so lush that I’ve put grazing muzzles on. Save your hay for when there isn’t good available pasture.

[rubygirl1968]

@McGurk - thanks.

I don’t know why I worry so much. I highly doubt that pasture will get eaten down overnight and the fat little pookies will get cold, yet in my mind… lol

I’m going with your suggestion though. They will be happier munching grass, even muzzled

[WildGooseChase]

To play devils advocate here, we have 7+ acres of pasture as well. We close it down during the freezing months even if it’s full of grass, because the horses cause damage to the grass when it freezes and they stomp around on it, or they eat some down. Ultimately, it could kill a lot more grass than what they would eat in one night. One night off of the pasture to maintain the grass that’s there, eating some hay is well worth it to me.

[McGurk]

Good point, @WildGooseChase. Yes, if you have limited pasture and you’re trying to shepard it carefully thorough the winter months, keeping horses off it and feeding hay when it’s really wet or frozen is good practice.

So, rubygirl1968, if that’s the case, well, then, maybe you should dry lot them and feed hay. You didn’t mention how much pasture you had or the condition, other than really lush.

I will mention that my horses are currently ignoring the round bale in favor of the lovely bright green fall grass.

[rubygirl1968]

The place he is has about 7 acres of pasture. There are 4 horses there and even though it’s being taken over by weeds, there is still ample grass. Too much grass for easy keepers, actually.

The normal weight boarder seems to prefer hay over grass, but certainly not the rest. They have been galloping up to the opened pasture after supper!

[luvmyhackney]

Not a stupid question at all. I would keep in dry lot and feed hay. Frozen grass can be higher in sugar and would send my roly poly pony over the edge if he was left on it overnight even with a muzzle. But I am super careful with my delicate flower cause laminitis sucks. Your other horses would probably be fine either way.

[XXS]

Depends on area/weather/grass - I’d go for the diet version that prevents EMS and laminitis.

[Mulligan314]

My guy wore a muzzle for the entire spring/summer but does not have any eating issues…his has to do with him eating his legs…anyways, we took a grazing muzzle and cut the ‘food hole’ a little bigger so he could eat hay. It was essentially like him eating out of a slow feeder hay bag. So, that’s a thought if you need them to still wear it, but are concerned that they won’t be able to intake enough to stay warm.

[BoyleHeightsKid]

Not a stupid question… when the nights are cold and the days are still a bit warm and sunny the grass is more dangerous for those who cannot have grass or a lot of it. When the nights are cold the grass does not use the sugar it builds during the day to grow so it’s high sugar.

If you have any with metabolic issues and you can keep them off the grass then I would or keep muzzling

[Zu_Zu]

Dry lot & hay only

Too dangerous / Sugar level

You’re a good horse owner to ask.