| Every horse needs pasture or access to some | | | | One instance in which grass can harm a horse |
| type of forage. Ideally, the more time your | | | | is in the case of fescue poisoning. Mares |
| horse can spend in the pasture the better. | | | | who are pregnant should be taken off of |
| This is not only healthy for them | | | | fescue three months prior to foaling. This |
| nutritionally, but mentally and physically as | | | | poisoning has caused many mares to abort and |
| well. There bodies are just better off when | | | | was a sort of epidemic in Kentucky during |
| they are able to graze on a regular basis. | | | | which numerous mares aborted their foals due |
| Eating all day is what horses are good at and | | | | to fescue poisoning. Pregnant broodmares are |
| they enjoy it. | | | | the only horses affected by the fescue. |
| | | | |
| Horses have a remarkably small stomach for | | | | The pasture should be well maintained. |
| their size and multiple small meals per day | | | | Fences should be safe and grass should be |
| is ideal for the horse. They are meeting | | | | well cared for and nourishing. There should |
| their requirements for these multiple small | | | | also be plenty of grass available for grazing |
| meals when they are allowed to graze on a | | | | horses. A pasture should have ample drainage |
| regular basis. In fact, horses that are not | | | | as a flooded pasture can pose as a health |
| ridden or worked on a regular basis may be | | | | risk to horses. Typically, four horses will |
| able to survive quite well on pasture and a | | | | be able to graze well on ten acres. This, |
| little grain supplementation to ensure they | | | | however, depends on the climate and condition |
| are getting essential vitamins and minerals. | | | | of your land. Horses in New Mexico, for |
| Some horses may need to be supplemented with | | | | example, may need a whole square mile to each |
| round bales of hay and salt licks, especially | | | | horse. Paddocks should also be properly |
| in the winter months. | | | | managed. If you are able to split a pasture |
| | | | in half for grazing, one side will benefit |
| In very rare cases will a horse colic or | | | | from not having any grazers and will give the |
| founder on grass. This has nothing to do with | | | | grass time to rejuvenate and grow. Horses |
| whether or not the grass was recently cut, | | | | are particularly hard on pasture as they pull |
| that is just a coincidence in most cases. | | | | the grass out by the roots. In bad pastures, |
| The horse will founder on grass if the | | | | you may have to burn them to encourage new |
| moisture level is at a certain point and the | | | | growth. They many even need reseeding. |
| nights get very cold and the days get very | | | | |
| hot. The grass will begin to produce a toxin | | | | Allowing your horse regular pasture time is |
| that will cause a horse to founder. This is | | | | very important to his health and well being. |
| extremely rare and most horse owners will not | | | | Even if it is just a half hour per day, you |
| have to worry about it. | | | | will see a big difference in your horse's |
| | | | state of mind. |