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Pasture Forever Off Limits?
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Prior to my mare Prize's IR diagnosis, we had purchased a property planning to live there and have a small summer pasture for our horses in SW Colorado. About 2 acres could be planted with grass and another left as dry lot. Will Prize ever be able to be on a pasture again? She was born and raised on one in Montana until she was 2 yrs. old. We also boarded her on one in Colorado the next summer that was over 300 acres with very little grass due to a drought. She was the only one who seemed to thrive on it. Our current situation is that I am still soaking her hay and feeding minerals I have been using until my hay test comes back. I sent it in a week ago to the lab you most recommend in NY. She is looking better physically, and has not been lame at all even when diagnosed with IR. Thank you so much for all the help this group has provided!
-- Sara Goodnick Arizona, 2016 chttps://ch.ecirhorse.org/case-history.php?id=49 |
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It depends on whether her insulin is under control. By that, I mean, she's recovered, able to exercise, ideal body condition and carefully monitored. Every horse is different, but the bottom line is her insulin level. I was able to allow grazing for my gelding starting with short periods after work, then longer periods with a muzzle, then towards the end of his life, practically full time grazing to maintain weight. He was an exception, going from extremely malnourished to obese on pasture only, had a brief bout with IR and laminitis, fully recovered and went back to work without any more issues related to IR for the next 16 years. However, I managed him carefully over those 16 years.
Keep in mind too, that insulin responds in lock-step with the sugar/starch in the grass. This will vary with season and sunlight. The grasses in SW Colorado (I used to live in Durango) are different than what we have in Missouri and the cooler nights may also play a role. Generally speaking, sugar peaks with sunlight and early growth. There is research showing that insulin increases and peaks in grazing non-IR horses during April and May in Virginia pastures, well above "normal" insulin levels. An IR horse grazing those same pastures would have markedly higher insulin, possibly developing laminitis. In the end, like many answers, "it depends." It depends on how well your horse responds to carbohydrate control and whether their insulin values return to something manageable with exercise. If so, carefully managed grazing might be possible if you remain vigilant. IR is not "one and done." Those horses prone to it will require more careful management to avoid repeated laminitis, but it is worth the effort for many more years with a fine companion. -- Kathleen (KFG in KCMO) Director and Research Advisor, ECIR Group Inc. Missouri, USA, 2005 https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=3-I7UI0AAAAJ
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Hi Sara,
It is reasonably safe to graze for up to 30 minutes after a solid workout, and in some cases longer, as you'll see when you read these links: https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/message/247591 https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/message/216223 https://ecir.groups.io/g/main/message/256685 Early morning turnout after a warm night is safer, too, or on warm overcast/rainy days. You can use a livestock gate time and have it go off at 4 or 5am, then bring her in when you get up. But if you're using weather she might not understand why she gets to graze some days and not others, and it could stress her out. At least if it's after exercise she knows she can expect it then and only then. As Kathleen said, it will all depend on your horse. -- Kirsten and Shaku (EMS + PPID) and Snickers (EMS) - 2019 Kitimat, BC, Canada ECIR Group Moderator Shaku's Photo Album Snickers' Case History Snickers' Photo Album |
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Thank you! We will get to working on a gate and timer for the pasture as well as many other ideas to keep her safe but happy. those links are very helpful.
-- Sara Goodnick Arizona, 2016 chttps://ch.ecirhorse.org/case-history.php?id=49 |
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Thank you, this is all so new to us and we appreciate this help.
-- Sara Goodnick Arizona, 2016 chttps://ch.ecirhorse.org/case-history.php?id=49 |
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erica busch
So I have always wondered... (Not sure how to word this)
After a cool nite the sugar levels in the grass are still high. When does that sugar dissipate, or does it accumulate, and more sugar is added from what is produced during the next day? -- Erica Busch PA 2022 https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/files/Windy%20Case%20History https://ecir.groups.io/g/CaseHistory/album?id=283356 https://ch.ecirhorse.org/case-history.php?id=85 |
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Erica,
It will start accumulating when the sun hits it next. So a warm overcast day will deplete sugars, or a warm night. But if it's cold and sunny (fall, winter, early spring) and the grass is still green, it can accumulate because it's not metabolizing sugars and growing as well with the cold temps. Once the grass turns brown and dries up, it stops accumulating sugar but it's roots are still alive and can be quite high in sugars (at least for cool season grasses). Excess sugars stored in the roots keep the plant alive through winter and make a tasty treat for horses on winter pasture. It's probably not as simple as that, but that's the general idea. -- Kirsten and Shaku (EMS + PPID) and Snickers (EMS) - 2019 Kitimat, BC, Canada ECIR Group Moderator Shaku's Photo Album Snickers' Case History Snickers' Photo Album |
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