EQUINE - The Trouble with Spring
24 Feb 2017
The days are really starting to stretch now and there does seem to be light at the end of the tunnel. As we all look forward to long summer days and (hopefully) warmer and drier weather, the advent of spring and all that it brings will fill some equine owners with a degree of trepidation. For some equines and their owners, the spring flush can be a pretty traumatic time.
Dr Green
There is nothing better than watching a herd of contented horses munching on a sward of fresh, green grass. Traditionally, Dr Green was seen as the cure-all for any winter ailments as horses, once again were turned out for the summer. Now-a-days it seems that more and more of us find spring a very stressful time. The first shoots of spring grass should have a health warning on them for many equids. Even before we, mere humans, are aware of it happening, the grass will start to grow through the old dead sward that has accumulated over the winter or through the mud and bog (depending on your situation). This is the first problem; it is eaten as quickly as it is growing and most folks will see that there is still nothing much to eat, so no need to worry yet. Look out for less consumption of any hay offered, a change in consistency and colour (to green) of their poo and excess gas. All of these can provide clues to the fact that your horse is getting access to more grass than he is letting on!
Growth Flush
The next problem is that this first flush of growth of spring grass, is very sweet and attractive to horses. Grasses store sugars near the base of the plant, so when your horse nibbles on short grass, he is getting a very sweet, high sugar parcel. This means that even though he may be just nibbling, there can still be too much sugar and fructans (the storage carbohydrate for grass) for sensitive individuals. Clover also starts to peep through and it can also cause issues, as its storage carbohydrate is starch. Clover has no place in a field with horses and unfortunately tends to take over the sward if left unabated. Try to reduce the amount of clover in your sward year on year.
Laminitis
This very early season high sugar grass can easily set off laminitis in sensitive animals due to the effect that is has on blood glucose and therefore circulating insulin levels. It could also set off laminitis in a horse that has never had laminitis before but who, unbeknown to the owner, has been sitting on a metabolic (EMS) knife edge for months, maybe even years.
Gassy bellies
For those who show their sensitivity to this sudden increase in sugars (from grass) and starch (from clover) by exhibiting bouts of gassy colic, this can also be a dangerous time of year. These horses tend to gorge themselves as soon as a fresh bite of grass is available, overwhelming the digestive system and upsetting the gut flora. This results in increased fermentation and gas build up in the hindgut, which can lead to a very painful colic. As a double whammy, this type of colic and the upset to the gut environment can oftentimes end up as a laminitis case too.
Spring fling!
The other issue that is heralded with the return of spring grass is more of a behavioural issue. Very many horses undergo a personality transplant at the time that spring grass starts to come through. Increased sugar levels in the diet mean an increase in fast release type energy available to the horse and that, in conjunction with the possibility of an upset gut, can make for a rather lively and/or grumpy ride. There is some thought that low levels of magnesium in lush grass is also responsible for some undesirable behavioural traits, hence why many of the calmers on the market rely on magnesium.
Grass Sickness
Spring time also sees an increase in the number of grass sickness cases. Whilst this disease can hit at any time of the year, the majority of cases occur between April and July with a peak in May. Despite over 100 years of research, the causes of this awful disease are still not fully understood but the current research is pointing towards a soil borne organism as the likely culprit (Clostridium botulinum). As horses are nibbling at short, sweet grass they are very close to the soil, especially if paddocks are poached or fairly bald, this in conjunction with a disturbed gut microflora population could allow this dreaded disease to take hold.
Precautions
At the first signs of milder and sunnier weather, normally from March onwards, sensitive individuals and their grazing should be closely monitored. Very sensitive individuals may need to be secured away from grazing altogether and kept in an area without grass (hard standing, arena or stable) until the spring danger time is over.
Protective factors for all of the above spring issues include:
Offering hay at all times (this is particularly important where grass sickness is a potential worry). Hay ensures that the fibre content of the diet is maintained and helps to stabilise the gut microflora. Soaked hay is useful for good doers and insulin sensitive individuals as it helps to reduce the sugar intake of the horse.
Using digestive enhancer supplements such as Yea-sacc to help to stabilise gut microflora. There are also supplements available that will help control excess fermentation and/or gas build up to lessen the risk of grass colic. Different supplements work for different horses.
Restrict access to grazing by the use of strip grazing, track systems etc depending on your facilities and horses.
Ensure that daily requirement for Vits & Mins and salt are being met. Pay particular attention to selenium and Vitamin E levels as these powerful antioxidants ensure that your horse’s immune system is kept healthy. Horse’s will very often lick and eat soil if they are short of salt and/or trace elements and this habit is best avoided if possible. Horses also require trace elements and quality protein to enable them to mobilise fat and digest nutrients correctly. Investigate the use of a low calorie balancer pellet.
Muzzles will allow a horse to stay with its field mates whilst greatly reducing grass intake and it is infinitely harder to get at that short, sweet grass when wearing a muzzle. Muzzles will work particularly well for the colic prone gorgers.
Longer term strategies
If you are lucky enough to have your own land then it is definitely worth while looking at longer term strategies to help with sensitive individuals:
Re-sow with older more traditional types of grass, these provide a slower year round sward growth, rather than an early flush.
Only use fertilisers if required, get your soil analysed and top up accordingly. If required use slow release, low nitrogen fertilisers to further avoid massive grass flushes.
Set-up a semi-permanent track system that horses can be moved on to early in the season (once all the mud has gone) and/or create a hard standing area. This can be a god send for EMS and laminitis prone horses as well as those prone to gassy colics as it means that they can be outside and moving around but without the worry of ever changing grass nutrients. Supplementation with adequate soaked hay or forage analysed as very low sugar, is key to the success of these systems.
As an equine expert with a profound understanding of the challenges faced by horse owners, I can attest to the intricacies involved in managing equines, especially during the transition to spring. The article you provided delves into the potential issues arising with the advent of spring, particularly concerning the change in the horses' diet and behavior. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts discussed in the article:
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Dr. Green:
- Traditionally considered a cure-all for winter ailments, Dr. Green refers to fresh, green grass that horses graze on when turned out for the summer.
- The article suggests that while it is a welcome sight, spring grass may pose challenges for equine health.
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Growth Flush:
- Describes the rapid growth of spring grass, which is sweet and high in sugars, making it attractive to horses.
- The sugars and fructans in the grass can be problematic for sensitive individuals, potentially leading to issues like laminitis.
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Laminitis:
- Laminitis is a condition where the sensitive laminae within a horse's hoof become inflamed.
- Spring grass, rich in sugars, can trigger laminitis, especially in horses predisposed to metabolic conditions.
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Gassy Bellies:
- Refers to horses that exhibit bouts of gassy colic due to increased sugar and starch intake from the fresh grass.
- Overconsumption of grass can overwhelm the digestive system, leading to painful colic.
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Spring Fling:
- Describes the behavioral changes in horses during spring, attributed to increased energy levels from higher sugar intake.
- Magnesium deficiency in lush grass is suggested as a potential cause for undesirable behaviors.
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Grass Sickness:
- Grass sickness is a disease more prevalent in spring, with a peak between April and July.
- The causes are not fully understood, but there's speculation about a soil-borne organism (Clostridium botulinum) being a potential culprit.
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Precautions:
- Recommends monitoring horses for signs of sensitivity to spring grass.
- Sensitive individuals may need to be kept away from grazing areas until the spring danger period is over.
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Protective Factors:
- Suggests offering hay at all times to maintain fiber content in the diet.
- Recommends the use of supplements to stabilize gut microflora and control excess fermentation.
- Highlights the importance of meeting daily vitamin, mineral, and salt requirements.
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Muzzles:
- Muzzles are suggested as a tool to reduce grass intake for horses prone to overconsumption.
-
Longer-Term Strategies:
- Recommends re-sowing with older, traditional grass types for slower year-round growth.
- Advises against excessive fertilizer use and encourages soil analysis.
- Proposes setting up track systems or hard standing areas to manage horses prone to metabolic issues.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable insights and practical tips for horse owners to navigate the challenges associated with spring, emphasizing the importance of proactive management and understanding the specific needs of individual horses.
