The First Grazing In Spring

The days are getting longer, brighter, warmer – and it automatically lures everyone, human and animal, to go outside more and give free rein to the urge to move, shake off winter fatigue and recharge your batteries in the fresh air for the coming season. Especially with horses, there is a lot of temperament. No wonder, because the otherwise so agile animals are often only in the stable during the winter months, are not moved much and on frozen paths and squares there is no question of running out. As a result, all the energy builds up immensely and the horses almost burst with joy as soon as the first grazing in spring is due. But not only despite the desire to move, but precisely because of this, increased caution is required. On the one hand, this applies to the horses in order to sensitively rebuild strength and endurance, but on the other hand also to the pasture itself, which should never be overrun in the truest sense of the word. And not to forget the intestinal bacteria and metabolic processes that need to be made fit again. So horse owners have a lot to consider in the coming weeks.

Prepare the paddocks for spring

Whoever walks through his paddocks at the moment looks at an area that has been fallow for months, is mostly still covered with ground frost and only withered greenery can be assumed far and wide. But the first plants are now sprouting very quickly and are still particularly tender and vulnerable. In the coming weeks, a grassy landscape will develop that will increasingly consolidate the soil and make it usable. That’s exactly what the horses are just waiting for and are probably already in the starting blocks – or in their boxes – with a longing look towards the pasture.

But before it can even start, it must be properly maintained and prepared. The demands on a horse paddock can only be compared to a limited extent with sheep and cow pastures. On the one hand, the effect of the fresh grass on digestion plays a role, on the other hand, the processing by hooves galloping back and forth. Horse and pasture can therefore harm each other and should therefore be approached with caution. With the right know-how, the first grazing in spring is guaranteed to be a success.

Seasonal paddock maintenance

In principle, the preparations for the first spring grazing already begin in autumn, namely when the meadow has been grazed, the ground is muddy or even bone dry and the animals can find less and less food. The paddocks are prepared parallel to the harvest time. With so-called mulching, the remains of the meadow, such as dead plant parts, but also horse droppings, are broken up and dug up with the earth. In this way, important nutrients get into the soil, which is also loosened up (it is also said to be aerated) and can regenerate over the winter. A new layer of humus develops, which in turn provides breeding ground for the next season.

In the spring, the pasture care continues long before the first paddock. Due to ground frost and precipitation, the soils are usually very wet. If horses were to romp around on it now, after just a few days, nothing would be found but the purest mud pit. That is why the couplers are first rolled. In this way, the upper layer comes into contact with the water-bearing lower layer and the groundwater is distributed more evenly.

If the soil is well cared for, the obligatory meadow towing begins. In other words, uneven ground such as tree stumps and molehills are removed by plowing or harrowing before they become dangerous tripping hazards for the animals. At the same time, the paddock should be checked for plant species that are poisonous to horses. They sometimes get lost unnoticed on the surface and can then also become a danger.

If necessary, reseeding then takes place, which is intended to close gaps in growth and generally improve the stock. The seedlings must be brought in before the beginning of the vegetation period so that they sprout in good time and do not later get in the way of the old scar. In addition to grasses such as timothy grass, cocksfoot and meadow fescue, horses love clover, the bark of certain types of trees and various herbs and, of course, fruit. An apple tree in the pasture is considered a real highlight among four-legged friends. Especially since it also provides shade – such aspects should not be underestimated.

Clean up in the paddock

With the mulching and towing, the paddock seems to be well prepared so far. Once the reseeding and checking for poisonous plants is done, the general cleaning up of the paddock remains. The main thing here is to check the fences. Broken areas have to be repaired, splintered wood replaced or electric fences tested for continuous functionality.
After all, even such a power box cannot withstand the weather forever. Ideally, the technical equipment should be kept dry and maintained when the paddock is not in use. In the course of the preparations for the first grazing, the power devices must be placed safely and securely.

Shaded areas and access to fresh water are also part of every paddock. This is often solved with shelters and water containers that can be used by the animals with horse troughs. This must also be taken care of in good time.

Garbage and rubbish in the paddock should not be forgotten – plastic parts and shards of broken glass always end up on the horse meadows, which can pose a risk of injury. Be it through careless walkers or gusts of wind. Therefore, even after the preparations have been completed, the pasture must be checked regularly, cleaned of excrement and examined for sources of danger in order to offer the horses the best possible grazing conditions.

Prepare horse and pony for pasture

Parallel to the paddock, the animals should also be prepared accordingly. Luckily, that doesn’t involve too much. Depending on the type of horse husbandry that shaped the winter season, other approaches should be pursued. So it plays a major role whether the horse and pony are kept outdoors all year round, in an open stable, with or without a paddock, or whether they actually spend most of the winter in the closed stables.

As a result, they have different densities of winter fur, for example, which protects them even on fresh spring days. “Indoor horses”, on the other hand, need a horse blanket for protection. The immune system is also different depending on the attitude and robust, optionally vulnerable.

With this in mind, horses must also be prepared nutritionally for their first grazing. Since the grass is extremely sugary in spring and is usually devoured much too quickly after a long period of abstinence, some horses get serious digestive problems. This can be prevented with appropriate feeding, especially with large portions of hay, special concentrated feed and feed additives with herbs. In this way, the intestinal flora slowly adjusts to certain nutrients again and can then digest the fresh grass better.
Concentrated feed that is too high in energy should, however, still be used sparingly. Due to the lack of exercise, the oats may end up literally stinging in your head. For the animals, excess energy that cannot be broken down means unnecessary stress. With the resumption of training and increasing exercise, the energy requirement can be covered individually, and quite relaxed after the first grazing.

Grazing – that’s how it works

The peculiarities of the grasses in spring explain why correct grazing is so important. Especially in spring, the plants have an increased protein content and increased fructan. If these substances are digested too quickly and not sufficiently, there is an excess of protein, which in turn puts a strain on the kidneys and liver. As a result, colic, laminitis and diarrhea can occur, as well as metabolic disorders.

Therefore, the preparatory measures already described are extremely important for grazing. With the choice of the optimal reseeding in the paddock and a well-developed intestinal flora in the horse, nothing stands in the way of the first grazing in spring.

Ideally, the herd is initially let out into the paddock under observation. Daring leaps in the air, races and kicking the hooves are far from uncommon, but simply an expression of pure joy. The animals can finally let off steam again. But some people always have to overdo it. A watchful eye on the part of the owner is never wrong.

But grazing also means a sensitive change in feed. Dry hay, straw and concentrated feed have changed the intestinal flora over the winter. Special bacteria are now required for the fresh grass, which only gradually build up again. For the first grazing periods, it is therefore advisable to run out for a few minutes. For example while the boxes are being mucked out.

At the same time, the animals gradually build up endurance and muscles again instead of overdoing themselves immediately. The same applies here: Better moderate than excessive. Otherwise there is a risk of strains and tendinitis. Regular lunging and ground work in the riding hall also support fitness. Of course, also riding per se, insofar as space and terrain are frost-free and ready again. This also tames the first spring fever and the herd doesn’t get over-enthusiastic on the usually still wet spring pastures.

With the training and grazing, the concentrated feed portions are also adjusted. The already mentioned feed additives with herbs optimize the process.

In addition, the body temperature is regulated by means of horse blankets for those with little winter fur, and this is gradually reduced until the horse and the weather have adjusted.

Another important aspect is the soil quality. The young grasses are not yet firmly rooted and are all too easy to uproot and damage. For this reason too, grazing must take place gradually.

From all these points, the following sequence of grazing can be derived:

• Week 1: daily 10 to 15 minutes of grazing (possibly individually on the lunge line)
• Week 2: increase to 30 minutes
• Week 3: Grazing for up to an hour
• from week 4: continuously increase the grazing time

An ideal point in time is difficult to determine. March often brings very cold nights, the meadows are much too wet during the day, and the ground is not yet firm enough. A grass height of about 20 cm is also recommended. Around Easter most horses and ponies then walk up and down their pastures.

Of course, these are just guidelines. In particular, the state of health of each horse, the condition of the pasture and the weather conditions must be taken into account. The number of animals per herd also plays a role. Ideally, they have eaten their fill of the hay beforehand and do not immediately tumble onto the grass, and are equally busy with lunge and ground work and do not immediately tumble into the grass.

Grazing risks

During the grazing phase, it is important to observe the horse and pony more closely. Do your legs swell? Are there any signs of lameness or even injuries? Are there signs of indigestion? How are the hooves?

The first indications of a disease should be taken seriously and investigated immediately in order to avoid worse consequences.

Recognizing and avoiding the risk of laminitis

In fact, laminitis is not only caused by improper exercise, but primarily by circulatory disorders caused by digestive problems. One then speaks of the so-called fodder deer – the most frequently occurring form of laminitis. As a result, the dermis of the hoof becomes inflamed and, in extreme cases, the hoof capsule detaches. So that it doesn’t get that far in the first place, the hooves must be checked daily, especially when grazing. The first signs are clearly warmed hooves, swelling and improper strain on the affected leg. Horses that have previously suffered from laminitis also have an increased risk of developing the disease again.
If the deer are recognized, immediate measures must be taken and a veterinarian called in immediately. Until this is there, the hoof should be cooled with ice (cold water is not enough!) and, above all, taken care of. Of course, no further feeding may take place until an agreement has been reached with the veterinarian.

Watch out for colic after the first grazing

No less rare are colic when grazing. The entire herd can be affected here, for example because special grasses on the pasture are the trigger or the preparations were insufficient.

Colic manifests itself as a distinct feeling of being unwell. The horses lie down more often, grumbling or moaning. You become restless, scratch, flehm, break out in a sweat. The whole thing can be compared to stomach cramps, which the horses do not know how to relieve. Some even become aggressive out of sheer insecurity. Others cramp or circulatory failure occurs.

Again, call the vet immediately and stop feeding. Antispasmodic and pain-relieving drugs usually help quickly. However, if the colic remains untreated, the condition can become life-threatening in extreme cases. If there are only slight signs, gentle exercise and stopping grazing for a few days will help.

What role do fructans play in spring pasture?

The increased protein percentages are not solely responsible for such risks when grazing. Fructans are also repeatedly discussed. These are water-soluble oligo- and polysaccharides, in short plant sugars. However, since common horse feed is very low in sugar, and for good reason, skyrocketing sugar levels cause instant problems.

Lactic acid is produced in the large intestine, which kills certain intestinal bacteria. Toxins form, get into the bloodstream and trigger laminitis and colic, among other things.

Horses and ponies that are out on the pasture all year round eat seasonally, i.e. with the first days of spring, when everyone else is still sitting in the stable, they are already eating fructan-containing plants, which means that the intestinal flora increases completely naturally adapts to the growing feed supply.

On the other hand, animals that have only been fed hay, straw and concentrated feed to date can become ill if they suddenly take in too much fructan. Another reason to take grazing slowly. Small amounts stimulate the build-up of bacteria in the intestine and so the fructans can gradually be better digested. In addition, there should always be enough fresh drinking water available to relieve intestinal activity.

The fructan content in the grasses decreases in summer. In the autumn season, this increases slightly again, but causes fewer problems precisely because the intestinal flora has already adapted. Only with the winter break will there be a change again, at least with the “indoor horses”.

What’s next for the horse pasture?

If the grazing is successful, the maintenance of the paddock continues steadily. Horse droppings are to be read, fences checked, weeds and poisonous plants removed, holes and tripping hazards repaired.

In addition, a paddock alone can seldom endure year-round grazing by horses. Therefore, the herd should be changed over regularly. This allows individual areas to recover and the plants to grow back. The soil can also regenerate in this way. In some cases, it makes sense to take care of a meadow all year round until the nutrient content has stabilized. After all, the horses take in exactly these nutrients with every blade of grass. The better horse and pasture are prepared and cared for, the more sustainably both will thrive.