i hold be told that frosty grass is not upright for laminates pony's but what whether they live out adjectives year?
yes grass in the winter is useless as it has no dry matter and is simply like water and no good to the animal and could build it ill. the animal needs hay or sileage which you can put out for the animal. also get some pellet to suplement the hay/sileage.
frosty grass will not harm a pony that have foundered,especially one that lives out all year. Frosty grass is no more likely to bring on founder consequently dew soaked or rain soaked grass.
What causes the founder isnt being drizzling or dry. Its the nutritional content, winter grass have very little nutrition, hay does have a bit more, though the good point of either lays more in its roughage content. Its roughage that helps produce boil which keeps the animal warm.
Be very mindful of grain or pellets given to your pony, there lies the danger. If he is a chronic founder pony, after in spring fence him off most of the pasture until the spring growing surge is done so he cant pack up on rich grass. But a pony kept out all year is less likely to founder later one stalled or restricted from pasture.
Answers: The danger with frosty grass is only for the first few frosts of dribble, before you get a hard freeze and the grass go dormant. What happens is the grass is actively growing in the daytime, creating fructans, but when it gets frost, the mundane processes are interrupted, causing a much higher than normal buildup of sugars within the grass.
You can find out more info on this online. My farrier is the one who initially told me about it, then I read some studies online. It's been a few years since after, and I no longer remember all the details, but the risk is frost on actively growing grass, not dead winter grass.
What other people have said is true..winter grass is smaller number nutritional than spring grass. In fact, it is Spring grass which will give you a laminitis problem if you are going to bring back one! Keep your pony healthy in the winter by giving him lots of hay. Careful what you feed him whether you do give him hard feed! In the Spring buy a grazing blanket for daytime and take it off at night. Grass at dark is less likely to cause laminitis...no, to be exact not an old wive's tale, it is scientific certainty! Good luck!
I know that winter grass has very little nutritional value due to the certainty that it is dormant at this time of year. Have not heard that it is not good for laminitic ponies, but any food for them is bound to have consequences.
Hay is obedient because it really is just bulk and fibre, good for the digestion and make them feel full. A wedge of hay twice a day is apt to feed them to keep them occupied. It is no well-mannered witholding food from a pony, he will only find it from elsewhere.
Keep checking feet etc over the winter months for any signs of heat, mud-fever etc. In really snowy weather it is flawless to pick out hooves, brush them and then pack in motor grease to prevent balling up of snow which not only is discomfited for them, but can add muscle sprains to their injuries. And once feet and legs are clean and dry generously apply vaseline or similar to the heals and fetlocks to prevent mud-fever.
ITS JUST FROZEN DEW
