March 2004

Spring Showers Bring More Than Lush Grass

The only thing on your horse’s mind is how much grass he can eat. You need to think weeds, feed adjustments and vet checks.

Even young horses and nursing mares need to be watched carefully for signs of spring-grass “overload.”

Spring grass is nature’s way of making up for the hardships of winter—great for a wild horse that’s survived for months on tree buds and dead vegetation but often a bit much for our pampered domesticated horses. Even short grazing periods on spring grass can cause a rapid weight gain, digestive upset or laminitis in susceptible individuals.

Most people cut back hay when horses have access to grass, which seems logical. However, the biggest cut should be grain. Young grass is higher in simple carbohydrates and protein, just like grain, but lower in most minerals than older grass and hay. Young grass is also low in fiber. This means your horse…