26/11/2025
The flush of green grass is truly in swing
If your horse is an easy doer, has a cresty neck, typical fat deposits of that found on metabolic horses, faster than usual hoof wall growth, or typically grows a lot of hoof wall, a bounding digital pulse consistently or occasionally or is diagnosed with equine metabolic syndrome, please take firm steps to reduce or eliminate grass intake, NOW. Yesterday was probably too late for their already inflamed system
Muzzles (check that they actually do reduce grazing and that Fatty Boom Ba isn't managing to consume excess grass through the side of some of these newer style muzzles or has enlarged the hole in the standard muzzles), strip grazing, grass free paddocks with soaked hay, 🌟track systems that fully loop🌟, increased exercise if your horse is comfortable and not already foot sore, are all very good solutions. As well as testing for metabolic disorders and medicating appropriately if problems persist or all signs point to Mecca
Also check the paddock for other plants that cause issues; water lilies, certain weeds that provide a sweet treat, tree and plant leaves/fruit
Some horses at this time of year simply cannot handle grass. If your horse is metabolic or verging on being metabolic, a solution needs to be found....all year round. One that keeps your horse mentally happy too. I know, I know. Pressure, much?!
There is sometimes no easy answer. I just know that horses are horses are horses. I can give you suggestions and advice only. Sometimes a workable solution isn't possible. And that's hard on you and your horse
And yes, usually organising any of the above can come with their own logistical problems. Horses on agistment pose their own issues. I don't have a stand alone solution for you. Hopefully the property owner will work with you for strip grazing or a simple paddock track system that can be made around the edge of the paddock or a grass free area made for some time off the grass
Horses ARE simple creatures, with simple needs. I know that sounds unlikely, given the issues many people have. But it's true. It's our modern practices of keeping them that cause many of the problems and discomfort your horse has to go through and you spend the dollars on
🌟Horses are made to travel large distances in a herd, each day. This has not changed for 1000's of years🌟
Suitable diet and consistent opportunity for movement (i.e. a looped track system if on small acreage. Hay can be placed around the track to encourage movement), exercise and socialisation are the very basics needed to ward off some of the issues we have created for our domestic horses
Making life a little harder for them sometimes doesn't do them any harm whatsoever
Obviously I'm not advocating for neglect! There is however a tendency to pamper our cherished horses a little too much and not give them what their bodies are screaming out for
