Spring is the season when many horses return to pasture. While horses love fresh grass, the transition from hay to grazing is a sensitive period for their digestive system. An abrupt switch can lead to issues like diarrhea, colic, or even laminitis. Proper preparation is essential.

Metazoa nutritionist Camille shares 5 important tips to help your horse adjust to pasture grazing safely.

1. Gradually Introduce Pasture Time

Start with short pasture sessions of 15 to 30 minutes per day. Gradually increase this over a period of 2 to 3 weeks. This allows the gut flora to adapt to the rich sugars and proteins in fresh grass. Horses that have been stabled for long periods or are sensitive benefit greatly from a slow buildup.

2. Feed Hay Before Grazing

Avoid sending your horse to pasture on an empty stomach. Spring grass is high in sugar. By offering roughage like hay or haylage before turnout, you help prevent your horse from overeating on grass. This reduces the risk of blood sugar spikes and digestive upset.

3. Stimulate Saliva Production

Good chewing is the first step toward healthy digestion. Fiber-rich feeds promote saliva production, which helps balance stomach acid. Make sure your horse continues to have access to coarse, fibrous forage in addition to grass.

4. Choose the Right Time of Day

The fructan (sugar) content in grass is lowest in the early morning. Avoid grazing in the afternoon or on sunny, cold days, as fructan levels are usually highest then — which can be risky for sensitive horses.

5. Monitor Manure Quality

Manure reveals a lot about your horse’s gut health. Loose or watery droppings may indicate digestive overload. If you notice changes, reduce pasture time and increase roughage until stability returns.

Need Extra Support?

The transition to fresh grass can put stress on your horse’s digestive system. Looking for extra support? Try a fiber-rich pellet made from sainfoin (esparcette). This plant is naturally high in tannins, which help support gut health and reduce gas buildup — ideal during the shift to pasture grazing.

Conclusion

Preparation makes all the difference. With these 5 tips — and the right nutrition — you can help your horse transition to pasture safely and comfortably.

👉 Want to learn more about our sainfoin pellets or need personalized feeding advice? Contact us!