30/03/2026
Grass is comingโฆ and itโs coming fast ๐ฑ
New data shows that grass growth in Q1 2026 is already above the 5-year national average โ and weโre only just getting started
๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ ๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ?
For many poor doers, this is great news
โ๏ธ More natural calories
โ๏ธ Easier condition maintenance
โ๏ธ Potentially less need for additional feed
(Remember โ for some poor doers with clinical issues flushes of spring grass many not be ideal, seek advice if unsure)
But for the majority of leisure horsesโฆ itโs a different story.
โ ๏ธ ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ = ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ!!
Around 70% of leisure horses are good doers, meaning they gain weight easily.
With grass growing faster than usual, calorie intake could quickly exceed what your horse actually needs.
๐ Remember: energy = calories, and intake must match workload and body condition.
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ผ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐ฑ๐ฒ:
โข Strip grazing or track systems to control access to grass
โข Grazing muzzles
โข Turning out on sparse pasture
โข Increasing movement where possible
โข Supporting with a balanced, low-calorie diet
Research shows that managing grass intake is fundamental to weight control, particularly for horses at risk of laminitis or metabolic conditions
Key takeaway
๐ Spring grass isnโt โjust grassโ โ itโs a significant source of calories
๐ Act early to prevent weight gain, prevention is better than cure
A little planning now can help keep your horse healthier, happier, and at an ideal body condition all season long.
If youโre unsure where to start, reviewing your horseโs grazing and overall diet is always a great first step โ and weโre here to help ๐
