During Spring, there are higher risks associated with fast grass growth. However, incorrect pasture management and prolonged turnout time aren’t the only common mistakes. In this article, we outline three avoidable feeding errors so you can easily navigate around them. Mistake 1: Not assessing body condition Regularly assessing your horse’s body condition is a fundamental part of a well-balanced diet and exercise regime year-round. However, in Spring, the rapid growth of lush pasture makes body condition scoring even more critical. Many horses are relatively inactive during Winter, often spending large periods paddocked or stabled. Because of this, some horses will gain…

With the arrival of Spring, the risk for digestive disease and metabolic disorders can increase as your horse consumes lush Spring pasture. In this article, we discuss three simple management strategies you can implement to avoid these health risks. In Spring, cool-season grasses grow rapidly and can accumulate high amounts of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) – namely sugars, starches and fructans; predisposing your horse to acute digestive disease, such as colic, or chronic metabolic disorders, such as laminitis.      Following a Winter season on sparse pasture or hay, your horse’s digestive tract is unaccustomed to these levels, resulting in the death…