----- Original Message -----
From: "Virginia Tupper" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> I'm just wondering if I kept them on pasture over night if having
> unlimited access for such a long time would relax them and they would
> realize it's there and always will be so they could slow down on the
> desperate eating.
Hi Virginia,
I used to turn my horses out overnight. I did it for convenience.
That way, they were "in" the paddock during the day, easy to catch up for a
ride, AND I never felt like I was taking them away from their meals to go
riding. I did feed them a little something (read low nutrition type hay)
midday however, just to keep things moving in their digestive track.
Anyway, I noticed I could turn the horses out overnight (11 pm to 7-8
am) and they would maintain the same weight as when I was letting them out
twice a day on the pasture for a few hours each time, trying to "limit"
their pasture intake and keep their waistlines in check. I think this is
because they tended to lay down and/or sleep part (most?) of the night. I
know I would find areas of flattened grass in the pasture where obviously
someone had laid down.
As a plus, I believe overnight turnout has the benefit of lower frutans
in the grass than mid-day grazing -- that would be good for Gat, whom it
wouldn't surprise me to learn is IR (Insulin Resistant). She has that
tell-tale "easy keeper" thing going on and it's a very common condition in
pony breeds.
-- Renee M. in Michigan
