Fall Grass Isn't as Safe as It Looks

There's a pretty common sigh of relief around the barn once summer starts winding down. Spring grass is behind us, the grazing muzzles start making their way back into the tack trunk, and it feels like the danger period is over until next year.

Fall grass can bring its own set of problems, especially for horses that are sensitive to sugar in their diet. And because fall pasture doesn't always look particularly lush or inviting, it's an easy one to underestimate.

Why Cool Nights Matter

During the day, grass produces sugars through photosynthesis. Under normal growing conditions, the plant uses some of those stored carbohydrates overnight as it continues to grow.  When nights turn cold, that changes.  Growth slows, which means more of those sugars can remain in the plant. Add a stretch of bright, sunny days followed by chilly nights and pasture sugar levels can stay higher than you might expect.

That's what makes fall tricky. The pasture may look tired, a little brown, or like it doesn't have much left to offer. It's easy to look at it and think, How much sugar could they possibly be getting out there?

Potentially more than you think.

Which Horses Need Extra Care?

Not every horse needs to come off pasture just because the nights are getting cooler. For many horses, normal fall grazing isn't a problem.

We're more concerned about horses that already have a reason to be sensitive to pasture sugars, including:

• Easy keepers and horses that are overweight
• Ponies and breeds that tend to be easy keepers, including Minis, Morgans, Fjords and Icelandics
• Horses with a history of laminitis
• Horses with EMS, insulin dysregulation or PPID

For these horses, fall pasture deserves some of the same attention we tend to give spring grass.

Don't Rely on the Calendar

September doesn't automatically mean dangerous grass, just as April doesn't automatically mean every horse needs a grazing muzzle. Weather and growing conditions matter.

Cool nights combined with bright, sunny days are worth paying attention to, particularly if you already have a horse that's at higher risk. A sudden cold snap or frost is another reason to be cautious rather than assuming the pasture is finished for the year.

In other words, watch what's happening outside, not just what month it says on the calendar.

What About Turnout Time?

You've probably heard that early morning is the safest time to turn out a horse that needs limited access to grass.  Often, pasture sugar levels are lower in the morning after the grass has used some of its stored carbohydrates overnight. But fall makes that rule a little less reliable.

After a particularly cold night, plant growth slows and those sugars may still be hanging around in the morning. That means simply switching an at-risk horse to early-morning turnout isn't always enough.

For a horse with a history of laminitis or known metabolic problems, limiting grazing time, using a grazing muzzle or providing dry-lot turnout may be a better choice than relying on the clock alone. Your veterinarian can also help you decide what's appropriate for your individual horse.

Don't Put the Grazing Muzzle Away Yet

If you've been using a grazing muzzle this spring and summer, don't be too quick to pack it away.

A properly fitted grazing muzzle can continue to help limit how much grass a horse consumes while still allowing turnout and movement with the herd. For many easy keepers, that's a much more realistic solution than keeping them completely off pasture.

And yes, fit still matters. A muzzle that's rubbing, too tight, too loose or constantly coming off isn't doing anybody much good.

If you're not sure whether yours is fitting correctly, bring it in or stop by and talk to us. We can help you sort through the different styles and find an option that works for your horse.

Sometimes the Simple Answer Is the Best One

For horses that really shouldn't be taking chances with fall pasture, a few hours in a dry lot or on hay-only turnout beats guessing wrong on grass that looks harmless but isn't.

There isn't a supplement that makes too much access to high-sugar pasture okay. Grazing management still matters most.

That doesn't mean every easy keeper needs to spend the fall staring sadly over a dry-lot fence. It just means paying attention to the horse in front of you, the weather you're having, and how much access to grass makes sense for that particular horse.

Before You Pack Away the Muzzle

Fall pasture is easy to underestimate. It doesn't have that lush, bright-green look that makes us nervous in April, but that doesn't mean an at-risk horse can suddenly graze without restrictions.

So if the grazing muzzle came off earlier this summer, don't be too quick to pack it away with the fly gear.

If you're unsure how much pasture is appropriate for your horse, particularly if there's a history of laminitis or metabolic disease, talk with your veterinarian about an individual grazing plan.

And if the question is the muzzle itself, come see us. We're always happy to help with sizing, fit and figuring out which style makes the most sense for your horse.

Equine Exchange Tack Shop | 1101 Ridge Road, Suite C, Pottstown, PA | equineexchangestore.com