| "body"> | | | | of digestive upset. Be alert for gas, mild stomach |
| Fall horse pasture is an economical source of equine | | | | distention, diarrhea or full blown colic. |
| nutrition, but the lush grass of cooler weather can | | | | 5. As pasture quality and quantity decreases, your |
| cause founder and digestive upset. If your horse has | | | | horse may begin to sample other plants. Plant |
| trouble with early spring grasses, fall growth can also | | | | poisonings increase in the fall, so watch carefully for |
| cause problems. | | | | signs of toxicity. Different plants cause different |
| Your horse needs time to adjust to the changes | | | | symptoms, so be familiar with common poisonous |
| brought on the new season. Pasture changes, | | | | pasture plants. |
| supplemental hay and grain feedings and fallen leaves | | | | 6. Some plants become more toxic in the fall, including |
| can play havoc with your horse's digestive tract. | | | | horsenettle, white snakeroot and perennial ryegrass |
| 1. When switching from pasture to a hay-based diet, | | | | fungus. Acorns consumed in large quantities can also |
| do so gradually. Make changes in hay gradually, | | | | cause problems. |
| replacing from 10 to 25 percent of the old hay with the | | | | 7. Finally, don't dump large quantities of raked leaves |
| new variety; increase every three days. | | | | into your horse pasture. Horses like freshly raked |
| 2. If you choose to supplement with grain, introduce | | | | leaves, but the leaves are dense and can compact in |
| small amounts slowly, no more than 1 pound per | | | | the horse's digestive system and cause compaction |
| feeding. Do not feed more than 4 pounds of grain at | | | | colic. There's also the risk that the leaves may contain |
| one time. | | | | toxic species like Red Maple or Black Walnut. |
| 3. Be aware that cool or wet weather can change the | | | | Take advantage of the health benefits and cost |
| nutritional balance of fall grasses. | | | | savings of fall horse pasture, but be on the lookout for |
| 4. When making any dietary changes, watch for signs | | | | potential digestive upsets. |