First spring pasture: how to build up gradually

Why spring grass is so different

Spring grass contains two to three times as many non-structural carbohydrates as summer grass that has been growing for a while. These sugars — mainly fructans — are barely digested in the small intestine and largely end up in the caecum. There they ferment rapidly, lowering the pH and disrupting the gut flora. The result can range from mild stomach discomfort to serious colic or laminitis. Ponies, horses with EMS, or horses that have previously had laminitis are particularly vulnerable. Keep this in mind when determining how long the build-up should take.

Build-up schedule: week by week

A safe build-up schedule starts small and increases grazing time step by step. The times below are guidelines for an average adult horse with no known metabolic issues; for ponies or at-risk horses, halve the times.

• Week 1: 15 to 20 minutes per day, preferably in the afternoon when sugar concentrations in the grass are lower
• Week 2: build up to 30 to 45 minutes per day
• Week 3: one to one and a half hours per day, split into two sessions if possible
• Week 4: two to three hours per day
• Week 5 and beyond: gradually extend to the desired grazing duration or full daytime turnout

The right time of day

Grass stores sugars during the day through photosynthesis and uses them as energy overnight. On clear, cold spring nights — when temperatures drop below 5 °C — the grass cannot burn those sugars, meaning concentrations are actually very high at sunrise. Ideally turn your horse out between 14:00 and 20:00, when sugar levels are at their lowest. In cloudy weather or with higher overnight temperatures the variation is smaller, but the rule of thumb remains useful.

Feed roughage before turning out

A stomach that is already partially filled with hay slows the uptake of fresh grass. Give your horse a portion of good hay at least 30 minutes before turning out — allow approximately 1 to 1.5 kg. This way your horse will graze less eagerly and intensely, and the gut flora will have more time to process the sugars gradually. Especially during the first two weeks of the build-up schedule, this is a simple but effective measure.

Signs that you're moving too fast

Keep a close eye on your horse in the hours after it comes in from the pasture. Early signs that the build-up is progressing too quickly include:

• Restless behaviour, looking back at the belly, or lying down for extended periods
• Soft or watery droppings in the first few days after introducing pasture access
• Heat or an elevated pulse detectable at the hooves (a laminitis warning sign)
• Stiffness when moving or reluctance to bear weight on the front hooves
• Sudden change in appetite or drinking behaviour

Tracking progress in the horse profile

Keep a record of how long your horse is out on pasture each day and note any reactions. In EquiSight's horse profile you can easily add a daily observation, so that after a few weeks you can look back and see exactly which schedule worked well. EquiCoach recognises patterns in your notes and sends an alert if behavioural signals recur frequently around grazing days. This is particularly useful if you have multiple horses or if your yard has different carers on different days.

Limiting grazing speed with a grazing muzzle

For horses that graze very eagerly or are at higher risk, a grazing muzzle or grazing restrictor provides an additional safety net. A muzzle with a fine mesh reduces grass intake by 30 to 50 percent. It doesn't fully compensate for a too-quickly built-up grazing duration, but it certainly offers extra protection when combined with a gradual schedule. Check the muzzle daily for wear and clean it regularly to prevent skin irritation.