24/7 turnout

[fimacg]

OK a bit of advice please.

I am thinking now that the high risk period is over for Grass sickness, that once my fencing is finished that I would put the boys out 24/7 to make my life considerably easier ( and reduce costs over the summer) we have more than enough grass to allow this.

But I have 2 questions:
1) Weight - they are all exceptionally good doers but the topography of the field does not make it easy to divide it into sections and Brave as we know has no hesitation about jumping over white tape and Dexter will just walk through it regardless of whether on or off...

So the only option to manage it would be exercise... unless anyone has any other suggestions?

2) Fly rugs - Brave and Chompy usually wear fly rugs during the day as Brave often reacts to bits with a golf ball sized lump! and Chompy seems to attract the midges who bite him around his belly and sheath until he bleeds.

So would I leave these on at night as well or have to catch them and rug and de-rug each day - which defeats the object of having them out or do I take the chance withou the rugs and see how they get on?

[fleabitten]

What about grazing muzzles - dunno about the idea of having it on 24/7 though - maybe off at night? do you think they would just guzzle then, having been restricted during the day?.

Exercise would be a good option for you i think - you have plenty of people to ride Chompy and Brave, only problem is Dexter

Fly rugs - i would just keep them on all the time and just take off and put back on a few times a day to stop rubs and straighten it up.

[haffyfan]

Is getting the field topped or grazed down by sheep an option prior to the boys going on it so there is less for them to graze on? Or even mix graze them if a friendly farmer will lend some sheep for the summer period?

Regarding rugs I generally leave on all time if they wear them but when it's hot mine get too warm so i tend to leave them off (not worn them this year yet) and they just use the shelter to get away from the bugs instead...so far so good but like Brave Murph often gets nasty bites that swell. The rugs would be coming off at least once a day so you can keep an eye out for them rubbing etc then and act accordingly.

[solomon]

We have same dilemma! Going to 24/7 as of Monday!. Lots of excercise, occasional standing in in daytime too. Fly spray, and bug rug. Hope you and I both don't end up with small elephants!

[fleabitten]

I have heard that the grass has more sugars when its ate away down like sheep do.

[racaille]

Don't forget that the boys will be moving around more so will be getting some exercise just in the field. I think I'd try them rugless to start with and see how they get on - when you bring them in to ride you can spray them with the repellent of your choice. If you have to faff around with rugs etc, it defeats the object.