2 minute read
Spring pasture management
For horse owners few things are more satisfying than seeing the mud in the paddocks turn green with fresh pasture after a cold and wet winter. In New Zealand, pasture can grow rapidly after only a few days of sun, following what seems like endless weeks of cold and wet weather.
Although horses evolved to eat pasture – the largest part of their diet being forage in the form of grass, hay and other fibre sources – spring pastures are often high in water soluble sugars and a specific form of storage sugars called fructans. Both can cause problems for grazing horses. Water soluble sugars are rapidly absorbed in the small intestine and provide a quick release of energy. These sugars are often the cause of behavioural changes in the horse and the “fresh” behaviour seen in spring. Fructans can cause different digestive problems and are also associated with a painful and debilitating condition of the hooves called laminitis. Where most sugars and starches are easily digested in the horse’s small intestine, the strong bonds in fructans mean they pass undigested into the cecum and colon, causing shifts in the microbial population, upsetting hindgut pH and producing endotoxins that can cause laminitis. For particularly sensitive horses, even a small amount of fructan-rich grass can quickly trigger laminitis, which can be highly debilitating if left untreated. Heavier types such as quarter horses and many pony breeds seem more susceptible than other horses to fructan-caused problems but all horses with unrestricted access to lush pasture can be at risk, even after years of grazing freely without consequences. To avoid problems when turning horses out on spring pastures, introduce pasture access in small segments several times a day and gradually increase the number and length of these periods. Sugars are highest the longer the pasture has been exposed to sun, so early morning is the best time to graze. Continue to offer hay to horses turned out on fresh pasture to ensure they are consuming enough fibre, while monitoring manure consistency and hoof temperature. Take the horse off pasture and call the veterinarian if the horse shows signs of hoof discomfort such as reluctance to move, shifting from one foot to another, or assuming a leaning-back posture. When horses are restricted from pasture it is essential they are provided with additional hay and alternative forage sources to ensure optimum digestive health. Super fibres such as beet pulp and soy hulls are ideal for this. McMillan Grain Free is a blend of beet pulp and soy hulls that also contains balanced levels of vitamins and minerals and is a great way of meeting fibre and nutrient requirements. The low starch, high fibre formulation is ideal for horses and ponies at risk of laminitis.
For further assistance with managing spring pastures and laminitis, consult an equine nutritionist.
Article supplied by Luisa Wood, Equine Nutritionist
