When will the spring grass start coming through? Now we are past the spring solstice, days are longer than nights, it feels as if spring is here, but nothing seems to be growing much! Horses out in fields will nip off the new growth of grass as soon as it appears, so just looking at the pasture does not always tell the whole story.
What gives us a much better clue as to what your horses are eating, is their droppings. Hay-fed droppings are brown but grass-fed droppings are green. If you notice any change towards green in your horse’s droppings, be assured they are finding some fresh forage from somewhere! It may be a sign that the grass is coming through, so if you have a horse or pony prone to laminitis or excess weight gain, be on the alert.
Best reaction if you are worried? Take the horse off the grass and let it grow. In a couple of months, it will be like standing hay, and that has more fibre and lower nutrition that the sweet young shoots they are feasting on in early spring. It seems counter intuitive to feed hay when the grass is coming through, but for some horses, it can be a life saver. You can also consider replacing grazing with lower calorie forage feeds that are suitable for metabolic horses and those prone to laminitis. Lucie Fibre Cubes, HayCare and Organic Lucie Stalks are popular choices.
You may want to keep your equine friend off the grass, but don’t deny them fresh air and company – they can go out in an arena or a “dry” lot with a pal and small piles of hay distributed over the area. Make the most of extra daylight by spending more time with them, riding, leading, long reining and a host of other activities that will relieve boredom and aid fitness.
Are we as horse owners obsessed with poo? Probably, but what an insight it gives us to our horses’ health!
If you'd like to discuss your horse's diet, contact the Feed Line on 01728 604 008 or, for a free Feed Plan for your horse, complete our short online form.
Spring grazing not got going, yet you have an underweight horse? Red Bag Grass Pellets are like spring grazing in a bag for those that need a real boost. For those with lower energy / calorie requirements, Blue Bag Grass Pellets offer nutrition like summer grazing. Shop our range of grass feeds here.