Spring
Introducing horses to spring grass
New or regrowing grass changes what your horse eats. Follow a transition plan suited to your horse. A weather forecast does not measure grass sugar or establish safe grazing time.
Why the plan needs to fit the horse
Pasture can contribute to laminitis in susceptible horses. Previous laminitis, excess weight and metabolic disease are reasons to discuss grazing with your vet first. A slower transition does not automatically make grass suitable.
Starting after a winter with little grass
First record how much grass access your horse currently has: none, or perhaps some every day. Discuss the transition from that actual starting point. Do not automatically copy another horse’s schedule or make up a missed day all at once.
What the season cannot tell you
Light, temperature, grass species and growing conditions influence grass composition. They do not give a reliable sugar percentage for your field. Morning, cloud cover or frost cannot provide an individual horse with an all-clear.
What to agree and record
- Current feed, previous grazing and relevant health conditions.
- Agreed field, start date, duration and reasons to review the plan.
- Actual turnout, feed and changes in droppings, behaviour or movement.
- Who to call with concerns and who provides the next day’s care.
In Halster
Keep track of your own grazing plan
Note the agreed turnout time and how each day went for your horse in Halster.
Install the test version through TestFlight.
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