Start by gradually getting the horse used to grass. After winter, when it has been fed mainly on hay, its digestive system needs time to adapt to fresh, lush grass. Turning a horse suddenly out onto rich pasture is a direct route to laminitis, especially in primitive breeds, ponies, Haflingers and horses with insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome (EMS). The transition should last at least 2–3 weeks, starting with a short time each day (30–60 minutes) and gradually extending the time at pasture. During this period it is worth watching the horse for signs of bloat, increased sweating or sore hooves.
As for feeding advice, remember not to turn the horse out to pasture on an empty stomach! Before grazing, give it a portion of hay, which supplies essential fibre and helps prevent it from gorging on fresh grass. It is also worth reducing the protein and starch in the horse’s diet by cutting the concentrate and switching from lucerne chaff to grass chaff, to limit the risk of spring colic, bloat or laminitis. Third, use prebiotics before turning the horse out, and worm it. As a preventive measure you can give herbs that improve digestion and have a protective effect on the digestive system, such as chamomile, marigold, ribwort plantain or fennel.
The time of grazing matters… Grass contains the most sugars in the morning, after cold nights, so the safest times to graze are early afternoon and evening, when the fructan content is lowest. Too much fructan can trigger laminitis, especially in horses that tend to put on weight. Also pay attention to the plants in the pasture. Poisonous plants, such as buttercups, spotted hemlock, monkshood and some types of thistle, are a serious danger to horses.
Regular checks of the pasture, and its renovation, are essential. It is best to avoid grazing horses on sandy, poor ground, where the risk of sand collecting in the gut is high. This also applies to pastures grazed down to bare earth, because short grass contains far more sugars, and that increases the risk of laminitis. Paddock grazing in rotation is a good solution: with rotation the horses do not destroy the grass completely, and each part of the pasture has time to recover. Safe grazing also means the right facilities. Constant access to clean water, shaded places or a shelter that protects against sun and insects, and solid fencing are the basics.
Access to pasture does not mean supplementation is unnecessary. Although fresh grass supplies many nutrients, it does not guarantee that the requirement for trace elements such as selenium, copper or zinc is fully met. Shortages can lead to skin problems, a drop in immunity and reduced performance. It is therefore worth completing the diet of horses at pasture with vitamin and mineral mixes, preferably containing trace elements in organic form (chelates), which are better absorbed.
There are many benefits to turning horses out to grass. It helps them relax, supports healthy digestion, provides free and unforced movement and lets horses meet their social needs. In a word, pasture is a great treasure, but only when we use it with care. Turning horses out onto grass gradually, checking what grows there, adjusting the diet and providing the right conditions will make it a safe complement to your horse’s feeding. 🌱