Grazing in the spring often leads to a loss of production in dairy cows. Grass tetany may be the cause. The disease causes a decrease in appetite, milk production and milk fat content. The cause: a lack of magnesium, often associated with a drop in ruminal pH.
Shetlands as we all know are small and hardy animals, who are particularly popular as children’s ponies, companions or even pets due to their lovable characteristics. Despite their small stature, these cheeky animals are very well adapted to their origins in North Scotland. Grazing in the Shetland Isles is sparse due to the cold environment, so the ponies have had to adapt to the lack of pasture available throughout the year. However, due to this, when they are granted access to lavish grassland, it is common for Shetlands to become quickly overweight.
Horses at grass are generally reflected as more cost effective and less labour intensive than those that are kept in. The horse can move more freely within the paddock and may have the opportunity to interact with other horse’s, the most natural way to be kept.
With spring turnout fast approaching, it is a crucial time to be thinking about dietary magnesium and making sure that the milkers’ ration is targeted to meet the cow’s production needs.
These challenging times are affecting every aspect of our lives, including, for many of us, how we manage our horses.If you are turning your horse out daily or 24/7, check out the latest research on strip grazing which has been conducted in collaboration with to find out how it can help you manage your horse’s weight.
In the dairy industry where margins are often tight, making the most out of home-grown forages is key. Grazed grass is the cheapest feed on the farm yet often it is not utilized to its full potential.
