Spring grass for horses and how to transition!  Moving on from winter into spring — means moving away from a low-energy, grass diet to a lush, nutrient-rich pasture, and you need to do it in a way that supports health while avoiding digestive upsets, fizzy horses or metabolic flare-ups.

Here is a structed approach and 6 tips for spring grass success!

1. Spring grass for horses -the big picture 

  • Pasture quality changes fast in spring where grass is higher in sugars (fructans) and starch in early growth phases, which can increase laminitis risk, especially in easy keepers or metabolically sensitive horses.

  • Gut bacteria are highly sensitive and need time to adapt from low energy grasses to lush spring grass to avoid colic or diarrhoea.

  • Body condition can change quickly — some horses can exhibit fast weight gain putting them very rapidly into the laminitis or obesity category.

2. Transition to Spring Grass

  • Introduce fresh pasture slowly starting with 15–20 minutes/day, then increase by 15–30 minutes every couple of days or control by strip grazing a small, fresh strip daily with hay back up to avoid overeating.

  • Feed hay before turnout where a belly full of hay slows grass intake and stabilises digestion.

  • Watch the weather for cool nights ( less than 5°C) followed by sunny days, as this means an increased sugar content in your grass, which equals a higher laminitis risk.

3. Adjusting the Diet

  • Reduce hard feed for good-doers as grass increases. There will be enough sugar (carbohydrates) in the grass alone.

  • Feed a vitamin-mineral supplement — lush grass may be low in copper, zinc, and magnesium despite looking “rich.” A good vitamin and mineral supplement that addresses New Zealand deficient nutrients is Opti-min. Click this link for more information Opti-Min | Best Horse minerals | Vitamins

  • Protein is higher in spring pasture. Balance with fibres that are lower in protein and make sure the diet is not overloaded in protein supplements or feed.

  • Feed extra fibre which is essential to avoid gorging and the rush of fresh grass through the digestive system. Spring grass is a cause of digestive upsets and loose manure. Extra fibre will also balance the lush content of spring grass which has very little fibre in the early growth phase.

  • Electrolytes & water is equally important as new grass contains more water — horses may drink less, so watch for changes in urination. Be sure to add salt to feeds and/or have a salt block handy.

4. Susceptible horses on spring grass

  • Laminitis-prone / EMS horses must be managed with a dry lot, strip grazing or once grass is longer a grazing muzzle. Please note a muzzle should only be used for a few hours at a time and only if regularly monitored and the grass is relatively long. It is also essential to monitor body condition and score every few days to weekly so weight doesn’t creep on. A great way to also reduce calories is straw; learn more here: Feeding straw to horses for weight loss

  • Older horses will need teeth checked as they may struggle with lush grass and still need extra hay/haylage to maintain condition.

  • Performance horses are also affected by spring grass! watch for “spring fizz” — adjust concentrates to control excess energy. There is no supplement to control excess energy, intake must be controlled or exercise increased to maintain a healthy energy balance.

5. Monitoring

  • Body Condition Score (BCS) is important and in particular taking note of increased fatty deposits and crest fat and good doers to avoid obesity and the damage and pain of laminitis.

  • Hoof temperature and digital pulse in high-risk horses is a good indicator for laminitis.  A bounding digital pulse indicates inflammation, even at a sub clinical level your horse will feel it. If left unchecked this can quickly escalate to significant inflammation and a bout of acute laminitis. Some horses may remain in a chronic low level foot soreness, which is often put down to other things like stiffness when in fact it’s actually laminitis! often referred to as sub clinical. So do watch for this in horses as well as ponies!

  • Manure consistency is another great indicator! too loose means too much lush grass! add hay! for crucial fibre!!!

6. Helpful Supplements

  • Prebiotics/Probiotics can ease a gut transition. However, do not add in place of fibre. Fibre is always first! Add that hay!!!

  • Magnesium supplementation may help with grass-related excitability and helps balance low magnesium from grass flush leading to more settled nerves and muscles. To read more about magnesium and how it supports health, click here:  7 Benefits of feeding magnesium to horses   Mag Eze is a great choice of bioavailable magnesium for horses, click here: Magnesium for horses | Best Chelate

  • Salt block or loose salt for electrolyte balance is also important due to the higher level of potassium in lush spring grass.

Follow these top tips for transitioning your horse or pony to fresh green, spring pasture! Getting in early is always the best plan and will ensure your equine is happy and healthy without digestive upsets, grumpy gut, girthy and gassy hindgut, sore laminitis feet or fizzy and unmanageable horse!