Tips for spring/summer grazing

As summer is almost upon us in Australia there has been a big surge of fresh, spring grass growing. This lovely new grass presents a problem to many owners of horses who have a susceptibility to laminitis.

Just a few hours grazing during the afternoon/evening may trigger a laminitic episode in horses with a sensitivity.

The first signs are often a reluctance to move and warm, sore feet. These often occur before there is even a digital pulse. Even within a short period of time, the build-up of internal inflammation in the hoof capsule can restrict blood flow, and the nutrients and oxygen it carries, to the hoof. The result is a weakening of the bonds and a loss of attachment of the lamellae which can compromise the internal hoof structure and cause a rotation of the pedal bone.

Managing your horses grass intake is important and most horse owners are aware of the need to restrict grazing of fresh pasture to control the laminitis risk.
Following are a few ways this can be achieved:

1. The “safe grazing” time is between 6am and 10am. This is the time where the grass has utilised most of its glucose while growing overnight and therefore the sugar content is at its lowest.

2. From 10am until 5pm restrict grazing by using a grazing muzzle of confine to a yard with soaked/low sugar hay.

3. Between 5pm until 6am is the “High Risk” grazing time when the sugars in the grass are at their peak. Confine your higher risk horses and ponies to yards or stables with soaked/low sugar hay to pick at.

We are often asked if The Aussie Farrier Hoof Growth supplement is safe for laminitic horses and ponies and the answer is “YES”.

The Aussie Farrier Hoof Growth supplement has assisted many horses and ponies to grow new healthy hoof horn with strong connective bonds during their recovery from a laminitic episode.

The nutrients in our supplement are particularly important when a horse of pony is being restricted to grazing and is being fed a predominantly hay diet.

Methionine, Biotin, Zinc and Copper are absolutely essential to create strength, hardness and a good growth of hoof in horses with compromised hoof structures.