grass turnout

Question
6-26-2008
Hello:
    We would like to turn our horses out on a lawn grass type of small paddock (someone's excess yard, they let grow up) and when the ground dries canary grass paddocks.  The horses were on the canary grass starting last June until about September and did not show adverse effects.  They were fed grass and grass/alfalfa hay during the winter in a dry lot setting.

    I thought the grass would have lost the nutrients that can cause spring founder by this time.

    Thank you for your time and consideration.


Answer
Hi Jane Ellen,  The grass does loose nutrients after a period of time going into summer, however, if you live in an area where you are getting plenty of rain and the grass is continuing to grow through the summer then you may want to keep an eye on your horses if they are prone to founder.  If your horses are used to grass already I wouldn't worry as much.  If your horses are coming off of a dry lot, to be on the safe side if your new pasture is lush, I would introduce this new pasture gradually by allowing them to graze 1-2 hours for 4-7 days, 2-4 hours the next 4-7 days,  and so on.  Once your horses are up to about 6 hours a day on the new pasture then I wouldn't worry about it and start leaving them out on it full time.  By that time the tall more lush grass will be eaten down.  Good luck, Jessica