Oh the Troubles with Spring Grass

Fresh, rich spring grass often leads to health issues with horses if not managed correctly

As we are heading into the spring grazing season, many of us have concerns about turning our horses out the fresh, lush, spring grass. This is a very legitimate concern as horses are very susceptible to afflictions such as laminitis at this time of year. We now frequently see horses in the so called “diet pen” or the “Jenny Craig pens” throughout the grazing season with very short cropped or mowed grasses, and if any and, limited access fresh forages. Although restrictive feeding may work for human physiology, it is not what the horse, a hind gut fermenter, requires and we actually exacerbate ulcers, insulin resistance and unhealthy pastures with poor nutrient cycling with these unatural practices.

Short, overgrazed grasses are stressed and high in sugars and starches and low in fiber

Grass produces sugars which are carbohydrates by the process of photosynthesis using the suns energy, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water. Did you know that the short grass, which is also known as the vegetative stage, is high in sugars? When the grass is short, it is trying to build leafy material so it is pulling the bellow ground sugar reserves from its roots to the above ground biomass to make solar panels (leaves) for further photosynthesis and growth.

With the sugar reserves redirected above ground in this vegetative stage, not only does it leave the plant vulnerable to grazing as the root reserves are now diminished, it is also low in fiber and sweet making it like candy for the horses. This is not what most of our horses require. When the grass grows longer into the elongation phase (identified by the 2-3 leaf stage) it will have replenished its root reserves with sugars, which it will in turn trade with microbes for necessary resources such as water and minerals.  It can now put down structural carbohydrates to support itself vertically as it grows taller.  Yes, this structural carbohydrate is fiber and it will dilute the non structural carbohydrates (sugars and starches) that were present in the earlier elongation phase of growth.  Ever wonder why some horses never seem to stop eating?  When the horse consumes a higher in fiber diet (more structural carbohydrates), it will also trigger that full feeling that it will seldom get on short, sweet, low fiber (non structural carbohydrates) forages. The horse will then naturally consume fewer calories.

More mature forage is higher fiber and lower in calories.

It has been shown that when food restricted horses are only allowed access to grazing for a few hours a day, they will consume the same amount in that time period as if they were grazing at liberty.  This also leads to ulcers, food protection and obsessive, stereotypical behaviours. If horses are on a weight management diet or on restricted pasture access, ensure that the stand of forage to be grazed is in the 2-3 leaf stages to not only protect the plant from depletion and ultimate plant death, but to also ensure that the fiber intake of the horse is higher. As horses in the wild spend plus or minus 17 hours a day grazing, we must mimic this and ensure continuous access to high fiber hay so that they do not go to pasture hungry, on an empty stomach and gorge.

Grass clearly showing the three leaf stage of the elongation phase of growth

Although we are not advocating for free access to pastures for all horses at all times, learning a good set of managements skills, and developing a sound knowledge base  about natural processes can allow for thoughtful and successful planned management both of equines and forage in a mutually, healthy beneficial manner. Following these guidelines will not only benefit your horses, but will also ensure that you are looking after the forages and the soils that grow them, so that in turn they can again provide nutrient dense feed for your equines and other stock. There are many ways to easily and creatively manage pastures to both optimize soil health along with grass production and the health and wellbeing of your horses. We can help you to learn more about your properties potentials.