Minis on pasture after frost?

[Reble]

Is there any harm in minis out in pasture after frost hits.

We feed now, and understand there is no nourishment out there.

We got a sprinkle of snow here on the ground and have had frost the last few nights.

After frost is there any harm for minis being on pasture?

Just still some nice days if the sun comes out and wanted them to be able to run and have fun...

When do you close your pastures off?

 

[Buckskin gal]

We have had no harm come to our mins from leaving them on pasture after the frost hits it. I notice how they will eat the grass that they previously wouldn't touch after it has been frosted. Ww leave our minis on some pasture year around so they get their excercise and not cooped up. Our pasture can look very short by the time spring comes but a good watering and it recovers well. Mary

 

[lvponies]

I've never removed mine from the pasture after frosts. I do feed them hay, but see them out there all the time still searching for grass.

 

[RENMACMINIS]

All of my horses both big and small have access to pasture 365 days a year. With nothing bad ever happening due to frost or snow for that matter.

 

[CyndiD]

What about pasture that is heavy with alfalfa???

Could that be a potential problem?? I have a hayfield that I want to turn them out in this winter.....

 

[Dona]

The one experience I had with "killer frost" was with a little 29" Dwarf Herferd years ago. We lost him because he was out on pasture that had been frosted the night before. He was out for less than an hour, and we found him bloated, on his back with all 4 legs in the air....dead.

I wrote an article about this that was printed in the MHW....Oh, probably about 15 years ago.

After talking to several vets, and farmers in the area. It was explained to us that the first frost will change the chemical makeup of the alfalfa & creates gases in the stomach. Because cows have multiple stomachs, they are unable to release the gas & they bloat. If caught in time, you could use a long sharp object to puncture their side & into the stomach to release the gas & possibly save them....but we didn't know that at the time.

I questioned my vets after that happened, to see if this would hurt the minis at all. They were out on the same pasture & it didn't seem to affect them. I was told that it "may" give some of them a little tummy ache...but horses are able to release their gas....so it usually doesn't create any serious problems.

 

[Ashley]

I dont lock mine off at all except in the spring for a few months. They seem to love haveing the pasture to run in when it cools down.

 

[Margo_C-T]

My late husband was a Range specialist. We made it a practice to stay off of pasture for about two weeks after a killing frost. There are grasses that can be dangerous for a time after freezing--what is commonly known (around here, at least)as "Johnson grass", is one. It is a 'pest' plant, not one that people plant, but it is common along the ditches, etc. I don't really recall, but *think* it might be more likely to be a problem with IRRIGATED grass, and/or with horses that are NOT used to full-time grazing. Here, the horses seldom get to graze-it is just too dry, native grass only. Just to be on the safe side, I still do not turn them out for that two week period after killing frost...A good place to check would be www.safergrass.com.

Alfalfa is grazed in winter here, but again, not until about two weeks after a killing frost--even with cattle, I believe-so I would definitely not put horses out on it until after at least that time period. Of course, I would be inclined to err on the side of caution- that's just super-cautious ole me....!

Margo

 

[Marty]

We had our first real frost last night.

This morning it was so frosty out there it looked like it had snowed from the house.

I kept the kids inside the barn with hay after breakfast until the sun dried it off.

 

[MSRminis]

My vet told me to wait until the sun has warmed off the first frosts as I believe there is a thing referred to as "frost colic". Thats what my vet told me here in Ohio...

 

[ChrystalPaths]

I was thinking of this also. I have always left them inside until after the sun thaws the frost. Something about the sugar content changing and something else. I now opened up the top paddock they haven't had all year (kept mowed at 2" all summer) and they are very happy with it even tho it is dead. I've always wondered about the horses out 24/7.

 

[woodnldy]

If they are used to being horses and being out 24/7 they don't have the tendency to overeat or be bothered as much. Of course the type of grass you have and whether it is fertilized heavy can make a difference. Mine have access to pasture 24/7 and I put hay out for when they want it. They are busy kicking up their heels and running on the cool frosty mornings . It all depends on how you treat your guys and gals and how you are set up.

 

[Gracie]

My 8 full size horses are free to roam the pasture 24/7 My minis come in to a smaller 1 acre pasture to spend the night and in the a.m. are turn back out into there 6 acre pasture, I have never had an issue and they do get to be out in the frost as well.

 

[lilfolks]

My minis go outside year round unless it's below zero and very windy. Never had a problem.

Joyce

 

[AnnaC]

Here in the UK we have always followed the old dictum - horses/cows etc living out all the time will not take hurt from frosty grass. If you keep animals in stables/barns over night, never turn them out on frosty pasture, until the sun/warmth rids the grass of any frost down to and including the roots. If you then wish to turn them out make sure they have a reasonably full 'tummy' before you do so.

It is quite possible for any animal to get bloat by being turned out on to frosty pasture. Cows can be saved, as mentioned earlier, if you are quick enough to find them bloating, but horses are more at risk as it is not possible (I'm sure I am right here) to 'puncture' your way into their stomachs to relieve the pressure.

I know you over there in the US have different grasses etc to us over here, but I for one would not wish to take the risk with any of my precious little ones.

Greetings to you all - Anna

 

[Sue S]

I'm like Marty, we keep ours in the barn until the frost is gone than we let them out, we also give them hay, they need to get out for some excercise, the minis pasture isn't real big and the grass has gotten eaten down to nothing. Wasn't a good year for the pasture this year, the big horses have always been out 24/7, They do have a big building to go in for protection.