Tag: spring

Spring Grass – Why does it cause problems?

24 October, 2024

As spring arrives, many horse owners face concerns about the impact of lush grass on their horses’ health. The high nitrogen and potassium levels in this new growth can disrupt not only digestion but also brain, nerve, and muscle function, leading to various issues commonly referred to as ‘grass-affected’ behaviour. The Effects of Spring Grass During the growth phase, grass has increased leaf area, which boosts its ability to produce soluble sugars. These sugars are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, causing an insulin response and resulting in excess energy. This can lead to anxiety, over-reactiveness, and spooky behaviour in horses…

Grass Affected Horse – How do you know if it is the grass?

17 May, 2016

If its Autumn or Spring, the risk is highest, however certain grasses, supplements and feeds can affect some horses all year long. A ‘Grass Affected’ horse is one where one or multiple aspects of their diet are adversely affecting their health and behaviour. This usually originates from the forage (grass) but can be further exacerbated by the addition of other potassium rich feeds to their diet. The fastest way to create a ‘Grass Affected’ horse is to graze them on dairy pasture or other pasture that has been fertilized with potash, super-phosphate, DAP, Urea, NPK etc. This is enough to create a…