18/02/2022
Rapidly Growing Pastures after Rain.
The warmer weather, coupled with recent rain-fall, has resulted in rapid pasture growth in many areas. In the few days of rain when the grass begins to grow, it has a high moisture content of 80% or more, with higher soluble sugars but minimal good quality roughage and fibre, as dry matter content, to sustain a fully grazing horse.
This ‘greening’ or re-emergence period is often referred to as the ‘green drought’ following rain, because the pasture is low in feed value and horses need to consume 50-60 kg a day just to maintain themselves without supplementary feeding. It can take up to 6-8 weeks for many grasses to reach a sustainable regrowth and higher dry matter and hence energy and protein content. Horses may also develop a watery diarrhoea due to the high moisture content of the pasture.
Once pastures ‘green up’, approximately 5-7 days after rainfall, the sugar in the grass becomes more concentrated and therefor risky to certain types of horses and ponies. Overweight horses and ponies, particularly those prone to laminitis, may quickly consume an excess that creates excess condition from the soluble sugars in the grass. Lush pasture, especially ryegrass, phalaris and fescue dominant pastures, are considered high risk pastures, as well as succulent rapidly growing clover in pastures. It may take only 7 – 10 days after pasture regrowth following rain to form a ‘cresty neck’ in high risk sugar sensitive horses and ponies. We have had reports of even ‘low risk’ ponies suffering from laminitis due to recent rainfall in some regions.
The initial growth periods after rain can affect horses and ponies in different ways. Just because the grass has that first flush of green doesn’t mean that an older horse or those in moderate work can be fully sustained on the few shoots that are first to immerge.
In contrast, most owners recognise that their ‘good-doer’ horses often put on weight quickly when grazing lush, green paddocks, especially if they have not had a good ‘pick’ of grass for some time. Allocating a daily period of grazing access, or strip-grazing, for overweight and sugar sensitive horses is a good way to help limit their intake of non-structural carbohydrates and reduce the risk of laminitis.
It is important that the diet provided is adjusted accordingly, the amount of hay and concentrate feeds given may need to be reduced once the grass begins to properly grow again. A well formulated diet, which can be easily changed by adding or removing hay and concentrate feeds to suit the conditions and work level of each individual horse is essential to help maintain health and vitality.
If you would like some help formulating your horses ideal ration, or any extra nutritional advice, contact the friendly Kohnke’s Own team today by email to info@kohnkesown.com or private message to our page.
