Hi there Doc, Hope all is well with you this holiday season.
I have a few questions that Have been on my mind here in Maine. The weather is changing "again" I have some pasture turnout and wondered if the grass freezing and thawing will cause a problem in my horses. I know that frozen/thawing grass can change the insulin levels and cause colic. How worried about this should I be?
I also have a round pen in my outdoor arena that I use as a paddock at this time of year and I do not feed hay in it because I am thinking of sand colic. Is it ok for horses to eat from the ground when it is a sand arena? It would be much easier to feed out there than to bring them in and out for eating hay.
Thanks

Hi Sass,

Actually, the freezing and thawing of grass can cause higher levels of sugars (fructans) to accumulate in the grass, which can lead to laminitis in some horses. So, it may be perfectly safe for you to let your horses graze, depending on their current health and their history. If they are not overweight, and have had no history of laminitis (sometimes called founder), you can let them graze in the grassy area.

Eating hay off the ground, if it is in a sandy area, is not desirable. Consider hanging hay nets from the panels to minimize their dirt consumption. If they'll eat over a tarp, you could place one under the hay net.

The best way to prevent sand colic is to feed lots of hay and grass pasture and making sure that they drink plenty of water. Adding a psyllium seed hull product such as Sand Relief is helpful, as well. I give this to my horses for one week out of the month as insurance, since, I too, live in a sandy area.

Hope this is helpful!

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO