To start with, make sure the pasture is ready. Check the fencing for holes and sharp protrusions. Make sure the electric fence is working everywhere and that the gates open and, especially, close smoothly. The water supply is also important. Clean water troughs and ensure automatic waterers are functioning.

Check the pasture for weeds that may be toxic to horses, such as seedlings of the Sycamore Maple (Acer pseudoplatanus). These seedlings sprout in the spring, especially if there are sycamore trees near your pasture. Later in the year, unwanted plants like ragwort may appear. Although many horses avoid toxic plants, a horse may still end up 'forced' to eat toxic plants if there is insufficient grass. Be aware that young horses are often curious and graze less selectively.

Bare patches in the pasture?

If the grass is no longer connected, it may be wise to overseed. This should be done as early as possible. If the other grass is already tall, the young plants will have little chance. Also, wait to graze until the young grass has grown. Overseeding can be done once the soil temperature is around 6 degrees Celsius. Your grass will benefit from it, you will have less weeds, and the grass yield will increase. Overseeding should be done between mid-February and late March, or in October/November.

A grass height of 5 cm or higher is recommended for horses and ponies. This minimum height is mainly to prevent horses from ingesting sand. You can assume that a horse that grazes for seven hours on a pasture at least 5 cm high can eat enough for the whole day when it is not working. This is pure grazing time, without pauses for playing or sleeping.

Beware of laminitis and colic

Not only the pasture, but also your horse needs to be prepared for daily grazing. Most horse owners know that you should not turn a horse out from the stable or paddock straight into high grass day and night. There is a risk of, among other things, laminitis.

The need for gradual grazing has to do with sugars in the grass, including fructan. Grass that grows very fast contains a lot of sugars and fructan, especially when the nights are still cold. Normally, grass contains about 10% sugar, but in the spring it can be double that amount. High sugar levels are particularly dangerous for horses with digestive problems and horses sensitive to sugars. These are horses with conditions such as EMS, insulin resistance, PPID, and laminitis.

Additionally, horses have a sensitive digestive system that needs to adjust to changes in the diet. When transitioning from stable to pasture, your horse goes from a diet of hay or haylage to fresh grass. It takes time for the intestines to get used to this. The enzyme production in the small intestine needs to kick in to digest the sugars in fresh grass. And the bacteria in the large and cecum intestines also need to adjust, as they are responsible for fermenting the fibers and processing the fructan. Digesting fructan releases lactic acid, and if the intestines are not yet equipped to handle it, too much grass can lead to acidification of the intestinal contents. This results in digestive issues and colic. Always gradually introduce grazing!

Introducing grazing gradually

To allow the intestines to slowly adapt, it is advisable to start with limited grazing time, for example, half an hour or an hour. You can then increase it by an hour every two to three days. The pace of this introduction can vary depending on the horse and breed. Generally, you need to be more cautious with cold-blooded breeds, Icelandic horses, and Friesians compared to warmbloods. Horses that have previously suffered from laminitis require a very cautious approach.

Provide some hay or haylage before grazing, so that your horse does not go out to pasture on an empty stomach. This also helps prevent loose stools. Start grazing on mornings when it is cloudy and nights have not been frosty. Gradually extend the grazing towards the afternoon. Strip grazing can also be a solution, where you provide a small strip of fresh grass every day by moving the electric fence. Night grazing can be a solution for very sensitive horses. For them, a grazing mask can also help, although many horses dislike it.

Supporting the intestines with herbs

It is wise to take a critical look at your horse before the grazing season. Does he have sufficient immunity and is his digestive system healthy? This can be seen in the coat and in the manure. If your horse is experiencing digestive issues, has a dull coat, looks tired, or has a bloated belly with a lot of gas, a boost for the intestines may be a good idea. Herbs are an excellent solution for this.

In the wild, horses spend their days searching for various herbs to eat. In winter, our horses usually do not have the opportunity to eat herbs. If you are unsure whether your horse's intestines are functioning optimally, you can give a herbal supplement for gut flora.

Sources:

www.paardenarts.nl