Tag: autumn

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…

Autumn’s classic issues for horses

2 March, 2021

The onset of Autumn; warm sunny days, cooler night time temperatures accompanied by rainfall brings about a change in the nutrient profile of the grass. Having an understanding of how the grass can cause various health and behavioural issues can save you a lot of time and money potentially spent ‘barking up the wrong tree’! The best tool to ascertain whether issues are grass related is to check the Horse Symptom Checklist. Here are some of the classic issues we see in Autumn: Edema’s: Swellings on various, sometimes odd, parts of the body such as the cheeks, shoulders, lower legs…