Spring Grass Considerations for Horses: Balancing Nutrition and Health

Spring Grass Considerations for Horses: Balancing Nutrition and Health

As winter fades and spring emerges, horse owners face a new set of challenges and considerations. The lush, green grass that sprouts in pastures may look inviting, but it requires careful management to ensure the health of horses. In this article various aspects of spring grass that need to considered will be explored, from nutritional changes to potential health risks, with strategies for safe grazing management provided.

The Changing Composition of Spring Grass

Spring grass is not the same as the grass horses graze on during other seasons. As plants emerge from winter dormancy, they undergo significant changes in their nutritional composition, such as:

1. Higher Water Content: Spring grass can contain up to 80% water, compared to 60-70% in mature summer grass. This increased moisture can lead to looser stools in horses.

2. Increased Sugar Levels: Spring grass is often higher in non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs), including sugars, fructans, and starches. These levels can fluctuate dramatically based on factors like sunlight, temperature, and rainfall.

3. Lower Fibre Content: Young grass has less structural fibre than mature grass, which can affect digestion and gut health.

4. Imbalanced Mineral Profile: Spring grass often has higher potassium levels and lower magnesium levels, which can impact muscle function and metabolism.

Health Risks Associated with Spring Grass

While grass is a natural food source for horses, the rapid transition to spring pasture can pose several health risks:

1. Laminitis: The high sugar content in spring grass can trigger laminitis, especially in horses with insulin resistance or a history of the condition. Laminitis is a painful inflammation of the soft tissues in the hoof that can lead to long-term lameness if not managed properly.

2. Colic: Sudden dietary changes, including the introduction of rich spring grass, can disrupt the delicate balance of gut bacteria, potentially leading to colic.

3. Obesity: The increased calorie content of spring grass can quickly lead to weight gain, especially in easy keepers or horses with limited exercise.

5. Allergies: Some horses may develop allergic reactions to certain pollens or grasses that emerge in spring.

Strategies for Safe Spring Grazing

To mitigate these risks while still allowing horses to benefit from fresh pasture, consider implementing the following strategies:

1. Gradual Introduction: Slowly introduce horses to spring grass over a period of 2-3 weeks. Start with 15-20 minutes of grazing time and gradually increase.

2. Limited Grazing: Use grazing muzzles or restrict pasture access to a few hours per day, especially for at-risk horses.

3. Strip Grazing: Divide pastures into smaller sections and rotate horses through them to prevent overgrazing and manage grass intake.

4. Timing of Turnout: Sugar levels in grass are typically lowest in the early morning hours and highest in the late afternoon. Consider turning horses out overnight (after 10pm) or in the early morning (before 10am).

5. Maintain Hay Feeding: Continue to offer hay even when grass is plentiful to ensure adequate fibre intake and maintain gut health. Offering hay before pasture turnout can also be beneficial as it prevents the horse from indulging in too much grass. 

6. Monitor Body Condition: Regularly assess your horse's body condition score and adjust feeding practices accordingly.

7. Provide a Balanced Diet: Supplement with a balanced vitamin and mineral mix to compensate for any deficiencies in spring grass.

8. Consider a mycotoxin binder: Supplementing with a mycotoxin binder can help reduce digestive upsets caused by fungi found in pasture grasses. 

Special Considerations for At-Risk Horses

Some horses require extra caution when it comes to spring grass management:

1. Insulin Resistant Horses: These horses, including those with Equine Metabolic Syndrome, are at higher risk for laminitis and may need very restricted or no access to spring pastures.

2. Overweight Horses: Easy keepers may need their grazing time severely limited to prevent excessive weight gain.

3. Senior Horses: Older horses may have more difficulty adapting to dietary changes and may require a more gradual introduction to spring grass.

4. Pregnant Mares: Late-term pregnant mares need to be monitored closely, as sudden dietary changes can impact fetal development and increase the risk of complications.

The Benefits of Spring Grazing

While it's important to be cautious, there are also benefits to allowing horses access to spring pastures:

1. Natural Foraging Behavior: Grazing allows horses to engage in natural behaviors, which can improve mental well-being.

2. Exercise: Pasture turnout provides opportunities for movement and exercise.

3. Nutritional Benefits: Fresh grass can provide essential nutrients, including vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids.

4. Cost-Effective Feeding: Pasture is generally a more economical feed source than hay or concentrated feeds.

Pasture Management Tips

Proper pasture management can help mitigate some of the risks associated with spring grass, and these can include:

1. Soil Testing: Conduct regular soil tests to ensure proper nutrient balance in your pastures.

2. Avoid Overgrazing: Maintain grass height at a minimum of 3-4 inches to prevent overgrazing and reduce the intake of sugars concentrated in the lower stems.

3. Weed Control: Manage weeds to ensure horses are primarily consuming grass rather than potentially harmful plants.

4. Fertilization: If fertilising, do so responsibly and keep horses off treated pastures for the recommended time period.

Spring grass management for horses requires a balanced approach that considers the nutritional needs of the horse, the potential health risks, and the benefits of pasture access. By implementing careful management strategies and being aware of individual horses' needs, owners can navigate the challenges of spring grazing while promoting their horses' health. Regular consultation with a veterinarian and equine nutritionist can help tailor these strategies to your specific situation, ensuring that your horses safely enjoy the bounty of spring pastures.

For all of your horse and pasture needs, visit us either online or in-store. We stock a great range of pasture management items from fertilisers to pasture seeds as well as nutritional items for your horse!