At one time two reputable people told me
that one should pull one's horse off of grass pasture the week before a ride
and put him/her in a dry lot with hay as grass caused a horse's pulse not to
drop as quickly at a vet check.
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I sure am confused by all this and would like opinions on the permanent
pasture question. I have two horses that I would like to see a bit more
weight on. They are both fit and muscular, but not much covering over
the ribs (can't see ribs but sure can feel them) They look good right
now, but I would like to see more weight going into the ride season. Living in
Calif, they got moderate exercise all winter, free choice of hay
(mixes of alfalfa, oat and grass), and about 10 to 15 GALLONS a day
between them of beetpulp/pellets, dry cob and corn oil. Worming and
teeth all checked. They looked good,but never plump,and now are on green
annual grass pasture (in addition to the above).
My friend has her horses on permanent irrigated pasture. She has a
horse that keeps gaining weight, despite miles and miles of riding. He "looks"
really fat, but is extremely fit, and does in miles what I do getting all 5 of
my horses out. She has concerns of taking him to an endurance ride and
having the transition from green grass to dry hay.
?She can't get him to drop any weight.
Meanwhile, I am scurrying weather wise to put in my own irrigated
pasture, about 3600
sq feet, all I can keep watered over the summer.
Any opinions appreciated.
Karen