worried

[NoviceNic]

I have found a field for my Bonnie but it was very overgrown. Head high in nettles, thistles and grass. We had it topped and the farmer suggested that we leave the toppings on the ground to dry and then Bonnie has some hay while the grass comes up again. The thing is I am worried. People have said to me mind she doesn't get colic. Please tell me a little more about colic and please advise if leaving the nettles thistles and grass on the ground is safe? Plus she is going to be in the field on her own. What should I look for if she starts to get lonely? What is the best animal to put in with her to keep the nettles and thistles down? All advise appreciated.

[Showjumper]

I would prefer to pick everything up and put it in a corner (preferably fenced off). And I definitely wouldn't put a horse in on its own. Another horse would be the ideal companion, but failing that, horses do tend to get on with donkeys, sheep, etc.

[galadriel]

Mowing and feeding the pasture clippings:
http://www.horse-sense.org/archives/20021109094057.phtml

Remember if she's eating a large quantity of something, she shouldn't be exposed to all of it at once. Horses who have been on straight hy, for example, should be eased onto pasture. Pasture is much wetter, richer, lusher than dry hay, and could cause a horse to colic if he were put straight onto it with no time to adjust.

Donkeys eat a lot of things horses won't; I think goats do too. Horses need company of some kind.

[liz--y]

i'd personally pick them up. hay shouldnt be feed to horses anyway for a few months after cutting