Sudden Changes in the Grass...

Perfect mature dry summer grass

When horses are out at pasture, seasonal and weather-related changes in the grass happen anyway but unplanned sudden changes also occur when there is a flush of growth after a drought-breaking rain or when ‘rotational grazing’ dictates all the horses are moved to a ‘fresh paddock’.

This sudden change from shorter grass to lusher grass is just like someone put petrol into their diesel motor!

Depending on the resilience of the individual horse - their metabolism malfunctions - they become a ‘bit fresh’ or spooky, develop various swellings or digestive upsets (eg extra loud gut noises or loose manure), start head-flicking, get ‘footy’, or become explosive and unsafe to ride.

Horses whose metabolism has already been compromised in the past will be more susceptible than others.

Both the change in nutrient composition (LOWER Dry Matter (fibre), higher potassium/CP/sugars) along with the simultaneous increase in QUANTITY per mouthful consumed affect the entire metabolism including the internal environment of the intestinal tract.

Lush Green grass...

When mineral imbalances cause the contractions of the smooth muscle of the digestive tract (peristalsis) to become weak/sluggish, there is a **‘loss of intestinal tone’ - the delicate chemistry of the ‘soup’ in which the flora of the microbiome reside, is altered.

When peristalsis slows down the contents sit there for too long and the resulting over-fermentation causes a build-up of gas, the common manifestation of which is ‘extra loud gut noises’.

This change to the environment of the gut flora populations causes some to die off and some (that normally wouldn't) now multiply.

The lining of the intestinal tract can become inflamed (colitis) hampering absorption of nutrients. Manure becomes soft to sloppy and can result in diarrhoea.

The priority is to address the workings of the intestinal tract in order to promote proper gut motility which in turn restores the more favourable environment (the ‘soup’) in which the flora reside.

It stands to reason that giving the horse pre & pro-biotics is much more effective when the ‘soup’ is right.

It is better not to expose horses to lush grass if you can help it, even break-feeding – wait until it is more mature and stalky.

The MOST beneficial course of action when on any green grass is to feed as much hay as possible every day. Because it is ‘coarse, fibrous material’ it provides food for the flora populations without upsetting the environment in which they live.

Fill out the Enquiry form if your horse has developed any digestive upsets or issues from consuming less than ideal grass.

**Ref: Veterinary Medicine - E-BOOK, A textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats – Peter D. Constable, Kenneth W Hinchcliff, Stanley H. Done, Walter Gruenberg