Understanding Horse’s Digestive Needs
Horses possess a unique digestive system that thrives on a continuous supply of nutrient-dense, high-fibre forage. This forage is digested through fermentation in the hindgut, providing essential nutrients and energy.
Impact of Grass Moisture Content
The moisture content of grass significantly affects fibre intake. Green grass typically has lower fibre content compared to dry, mature grass. Horses grazing on lush grass day & night, without adequate fibre are at risk of imbalances in their gut microbiome. A horse’s hindgut is a fermentation vat that digests fibre, producing fatty acids for energy and absorption of essential nutrients.
Ideal Grass for Horses
Mature, dry grass is the best fibre source for horses. However, many horses graze on short, green, fertilized, or unsuitable grass species designed for ruminants like cows and sheep, which can promote rapid weight gain and milk production. Whereas horses benefit from slower-growing grasses that support good gut health.
Risks of Unsuitable Grass
Some grass species are too high in sugars, fructans, mycotoxins, protein, or nitrogen. They may also impair nutrient absorption or harbor toxins.
Even safe grass species can pose problems under certain conditions, such as spring or autumn growth, post-frost, after fertilization, drought-breaking rains, or overgrazing. For this reason, it is important to ensure your horse has access to safe grass hay to ensure they get sufficient fibre if they are not grazing mature, dry pasture grass.
Identify Your Pasture Grass
Safe Horse Grass
The following grass species are generally higher in fibre and lower in sugar, making them more suitable for horses:
Problem Species
Oxalate Grasses
Ingested oxalates bind to calcium molecules, reducing the amount of calcium available for your horse to absorb into the bloodstream. The level of calcium that gets bound depends on the amount of oxalate in the gut. So, the higher the oxalate content in the grass and the more grass your horse consumes, the greater the presence of oxalates.
Not all calcium supplements are equal, so it is important to use a chelated mineral blend to avoid long term health issues from ‘big head’ disease.
Toxic Trees and Plants to Avoid
Remove the following toxic plants from pastures:
It’s crucial to make sure your horse’s pasture is free of harmful plants, especially when grazing options are limited, as they may resort to eating undesirable plants when they’re hungry. Offering a varied diet supports a healthy gut microbiome, and horses often seek out specific plants for their nutrients or medicinal properties.
The following plants are safe for horses to consume in moderation, so you can include small amounts in their diet or grow them in fenced areas where they can nibble on the leaves over the fence.
Forage Snacking: Safe Options
Managing your Pasture
Creating a healthy pasture for your horse is essential for their overall well-being and digestive health. By understanding their unique digestive needs and the impact of grass choices, you can ensure that your horse has access to safe, nutritious forage.
Prioritizing mature, dry grasses while avoiding high-sugar or toxic species will promote a balanced gut microbiome and prevent potential health issues. Additionally, offering a variety of safe plants for foraging can enhance their diet and provide beneficial nutrients.
Always remain vigilant about the plants in your pasture. With careful management and informed choices, you can cultivate a thriving environment that supports your horse’s health and happiness.
The following supplements are beneficial in supporting horses while grazing grass
GrazeEzy – Formulated to counteract excess of potassium and nitrogen in grass and balance gut pH.
Metabolize – Is designed to assist your horse in dealing with sugar in their diet.
Digestive EQ – Helps to combat hindgut acidosis and stabilise hindgut microbiome.
Please note * We do not sell grass or pasture seeds. For suitable native grass seed mixes or for advice regarding growing grasses in your area, please consult local suppliers or consider adding native species from Native Seeds – https://nativeseeds.com.au/product-category/native-grasses/
For horse health advice, complete our Complimentary Horse Questionnaire. Our animal naturopath can provide recommendations to help improve the health of your equine friends.
