Transitioning Horses to Spring Grazing

What if My Horse was On Pasture All Winter?

Horses that spent the winter out on the pasture rather than confined to a sacrifice lot will be transitioning themselves to the spring grass by grazing it as it begins to grow. At first, very little grass will be available so horses will not be able to eat much of it. As more grass comes in, their digestive tracts will be adjusting to the new feed source. Continue feeding hay into the spring to help with the transition.

While this is less desirable from a plant biology and pasture health perspective, it means most horses will be fine if they are turned out while the pastures are greening up in the spring. An exception would be laminitis-prone horses that have equine metabolic syndrome or insulin dysregulation, 

as the NSC content of spring grass can become quite high and cause undesirable health issues. It is always best to consult with your veterinarian when making pasture grazing decisions for laminitis-prone horses.

Conclusions

For those who kept their horses off pastures during the winter, it is very tempting to turn horses out on pasture as soon as the grass starts greening up. However, some health issues can arise if the transition to pasture is sudden. Following the methods listed in this article will help to keep your horses and pastures healthy.