This article has appeared previously with Equestrian Life. To see what's in our latest issue, please click here.

Spring growth can be a cause for concern for some horse owners.

By Equestrian Life

For many horse owners, spring growth is a welcome change that equates to lush green paddocks and lower feed bills.

However for some, the spring months are a period where horses must be carefully monitored and pasture access restricted. Horses and ponies with metabolic concerns may gain weight rapidly as the weather warms, leading to conditions such as laminitis.

Early spring grass in its growth phase - particularly in paddocks that are constantly grazed - is higher in sugars that are readily digestible, which can prove dangerous for some horses. In addition, pasture that has been under stress leading into spring - for example due to drought or frost - can also produce higher sugar levels.

There are many things you can do to restrict a horse's access to high sugar pasture - such as introducing a grazing muzzle or only allowing pasture access in the morning between 7am and 11am when grass sugar levels are thought to be at their lowest point.

Worried about laminitis this spring?

Read "Laminitis: No Foot, No Horse Part 1" here.

Read "Laminitis: No Foot, No Horse Part 2" here.

How does your horse compare to the body score chart below?

The body condition score chart.

Key areas to assess a horse's body condition score.

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