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Post by solomon on Mar 7, 2011 15:19:20 GMT
Hi folks, guess you would really prefer me to go back to part livery! Decision time again. Horses at the mo are in from 2pm til 6am. They come in early 'cos their feet were getting so wet. Nothing much to eat in the winter field either, it's coming back slowly. The thing is from April, weather permitting we are allowed and plan to leave them out over-night. We will probably bring them in for a rew hours, 1pm to 6pm to ride and keep out of the flies. What does everyone do to make the transition? Should we leave them out 6am to 6pm for a few days then just leave them out, or is in at 6am the first few days a good idea, and have them in daytime. We need your help again. The field they will be going into does look nice about two acres and has been rested all winter ;D. We did wonder about buying tape to only let them have half at a time.
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Post by fimacg on Mar 7, 2011 15:27:37 GMT
Not sure Sol, I was going to ask a similar question as I am planning on swapping mine from daytime to nightime turnout in April/May if not sooner and was wondering about the best time to give them their feed.
To swap over I was simply going to leave out for 24hours.
The idea of tape is a good one as it means you have a smaller area to poo pick and can swap halves and allow half to grow/recover and swap them over on a monthly basis, other wise you end up with poo filled areas where they simply dont east and long grass around these.
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Post by duckles on Mar 7, 2011 15:40:43 GMT
I think leaving them out for the 24 hours and then swap over is the perfect solution.
I also agree with Fi in relation to the tape.
I have heard that if you want to keep weight down, it is best to avoid grazing in the early morning as that is when the grass is most sugary.
Isn't it lovely to be planning for spring/summer.
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Post by spotti on Mar 7, 2011 17:41:15 GMT
Urgh, big long post just died...bad forum!
I'd use tape personally(either to split or strip graze), but then I have a laminitic who is under strict observation and on a controlled diet to keep an eye on her weight. As and when uni allows I'm increasing Faith's workload so she can burn some calories that way too.
As for the switch - are you wanting to turnout at night and have them in during the day, or are you wanting to have them out 24/7? If its the first option then I'd turnout as normal, bring in as normal, feed or ride or whatever you normally do when you bring in, then turn them back out again and bring them in in the morning.
If you're wanting to go for 24/7 turnout then I'd spend a week or more gradually increasing the amount of time they spend in the field until eventually they are out all the time unless they are being ridden. I'd also reduce or even stop any hard food if they are looking ok on grass...unless they have supplements etc, in which case I'd give bare minimum low calorie fibre-based chaff and maybe a mineral supplement/balancer to make sure they were getting all they needed.
On a different note - I bet it feels awesome being able to do your own thing at last!
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haffyfan
Administrator 
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Posts: 7,391
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Post by haffyfan on Mar 7, 2011 19:19:27 GMT
I would definatly go for tape to restrict the grazing...forgot what the rule books say 2 acres is a heck of a lot for 2 beasties if it's good grazing and well managed! Pop fatties (or good doers if you prefer) into the equation and it's a recepie for diaster (please learn from my mistake here!)
personally I would just chuck them out...when Murph had to stop in over night at old yard Neither of us could wait till first day they coulkd be out 24/7....he was never back in at all till he had to be (winter)
I always feed at night personally...not sure why to be honest it's just something i do but mine are pretty good at flexitime (they have no option!)
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Post by maximum on Mar 9, 2011 21:41:01 GMT
like haffy i would just chuck them out - its not like they need roughing off having been out part time anyway.
yes tape off area - it may still be wet then as well and you dont want them yeehawing round and cutting up the whole thing!
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Post by zara on Mar 10, 2011 7:45:17 GMT
I agree with Haffy too. wait for a nice day / night and just leave them out. Zx
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