fescue grass and preggy mares

[ShainaTN]

I've been in great debate over this subject! From what I've read and what I've experienced... you are not supposed to feed preggy mares fescue grass/hay. The reason why I'm in debate is because: Last year, we had no clue that Baylee was pregnant until she was about 7 months into her pregnancy, and still then we weren't for sure. She had ate fescue hay and grass throughout her whole pregnancy without any ill effects. From what I have read, they say "fescue grass causes abortion in mares... it also causes poor placetal attachment... also causes an no udder development." My mare was a maiden, she produced enough milk... a lot for a maiden, and nothing happened to the foal, except foal rejection... but that's a LONG story.

My question to you all is, do you think that fescue really causes all these ill-effects on mares?

I KNOW THAT THIS DOESN'T REALLY GO WITH MY TOPIC, BUT...

We finally got all of the field fenced in and the grass is really high! It is mostly orchard grass and fescue. My father keeps asking me if they will founder off of this lush pasture, because there are three horses on 4-5 acres of this pasture! Is it possible? And also, since I'll be getting the girls bred in June, will this pasture be sufficient? Of course I know I'll get some opinions on this, but that is why I posted it!

Tomorrow is a busy, BUSY day for me, but I'll try to get some pictures of the field! It's absolutely gorgeous right now!

[jcshafe]

Fescue is ok its the endophytes that gets in some fescue that can cause problems. Not all fescue grass has this. You can even plant endophyte free fescue grass seed. Yours was obviously free of them at the time your mare was pregnat and may still be. I assume there is test that can be run on the grass. Check with your extension office.

[ShainaTN]

So as for my second question, is it possible for my horses to colic or founder off of this lush pasture???

[twnpnds]

Horses that colic or founder from lush pastures were usually kept on dry lots, stalled, or on short pastures then turned out on the lush pasture without having time to get used to it. If your horses have been on it all along while the grass was growing they will probably be okay. They have had a chance to get used to it. And in my opinion if they haven't coliced or foundered by now they probably won't. These conditions usually happened in a short period of time. Anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Your pasture sounds great for your mares. Might want to have the fescue tested for peace of mind. Just pay attention to their body scores and when in doubt ask your vet. He/she should be able to set up a feeding plan for your mares. Remember to keep them updated on their vaccinations and deworming. Will we be seeing your mares on cam next year?

[ShainaTN]

Yes, I hope to have a cam hooked to marestare next year... Here's the site with pictures of the field I took today! They are loose up in the field and are doing great!

shainatn.proboards104.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1146431663

[Golden Girl]

This might be of interest to you. My mini mare foaled after a full 351 days. That was 11 days longer than the time before. Then her milk did not come in Later after a visit from the Vet and the emergency was over I took a good look at my hay. The same hay out of the same field that I fed last year with out any ill effects to last years mare & foal. It had some fesque seed tops in it!!!! Aggg, from now on I'll feed only Bermuda hay to my brood mare the last 90 days!

Next to add to all the other info, a horse can possibly founder if allowed to get too fat on pasture. My friend raises Appendix QH's and her farm is lush established pasture. Several of them get way too fat. So they spend several hours a day in the diet paddock (dry lot). So far, no founder, but we worry every summer.

Good Luck!

[Steph @ Elements]

I lost THREE foals this year to fescue toxicosis!!! I had loaned several of my mare to a very good friend for riding. SHe lives on the other side of the state, and the thought of fescue never entered my mind. I am out almost $1000 in vet bills and far more than that in lost revenue, not to mention heartache, in lost foals. The stillborn colt was viewed here by those unlucky enough... <sad sigh>

Steph