Grass
Fresh grass is the most natural feed for horses: high in water, high in fibre and the basis of turnout.
General information, not individual feeding or ration advice. For your own horse, consult your vet or a nutritionist.
How does it work?
Fresh grass contains a lot of water; it is only about 15 to 30 percent dry matter, compared with 85 percent or more for hay. The sugar content of grass fluctuates a great deal. It is usually lowest in the early morning and highest on a sunny afternoon, and it is generally higher during the spring and autumn growth. So the weather and the season help decide how sugar-rich the grass is at any given moment.
Why it matters
Because grass is so watery, a horse eats large amounts of it to get its fibre. The changing sugar levels also make turnout something to manage consciously, especially with ponies and sensitive horses.
Common misconceptions
- Grazing early in the morning is not automatically safe: after a cold, clear night the sugar content can still stay high.
- More turnout is not always better; for some horses restricted or controlled turnout is healthier.
What to watch for
Sugar-rich grass is a recognised risk factor for pasture-related laminitis, especially in ponies and horses with a metabolic problem. This is a referral, not treatment advice: talk to your vet about safe turnout.
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Sources: Kentucky Equine Research · Kentucky Equine Research · Rutgers NJAES.