24/03/2026
šæ Spring is on the horizonā¦ but is your horseās gut ready for it?
Thereās something about those first daffodils popping up that just lifts your mood, isnāt there? Lighter evenings, less mud (eventuallyā¦ š¤) and the promise of more turnout time making us all feel much happier š„°
Letās be honest, most of us are more than ready to swap endless haynets and mucking out for longer days and horses out in the field!!
But as tempting as it is to go from winter routine to 24/7 turnout overnightā¦ this is where things can start to unravel.
š± Why spring can catch horses out
Over winter, your horseās digestive system has adapted to a forage-based, hay-heavy diet. Even if you were lucky enough to have good grass cover through winter, winter grass is nutritionally poor and your horse likely consumed more fibre.
Then spring arrivesā¦ and suddenly:
ā¢ Fresh, richer grass
ā¢ Higher sugar content
ā¢ Faster fermentation in the hindgut
ā¢ Big changes in routine
All of this can disrupt the hindgut microbiome if introduced too quickly, resulting in problems. This is often when owners start to notice:
ā¢ Loose droppings or faecal water
ā¢ Changes in behaviour or sensitivity
ā¢ Fluctuations in condition
ā¢ Hoof or metabolic challenges in some horses
āļø The key to remember is that itās not just about grass, itās about supporting them through the transition. Success means thinking in weeks, not days and allowing gradual adjustment to change.
Your horseās hindgut microbes need time to adapt to new forage and rushing this process can lead to imbalance.
š“ A more supportive approach is to introduce new grazing gradually. That might mean slowly increasing time in new grass paddocks over a week to 10days and muzzling if necessary to reduce intake. Keep a supply of hay (or haylage) available to your horse as they may choose to regulate their own forage intake. Avoid changing multiple things at once and monitor droppings, behaviour and overall comfort with every change you make.
šæ Supporting from the inside out
During this transition, supporting the gut can help horses adapt more comfortably.
For example:
ā¢ Targeted digestive support (for hindgut, stomach or both) can help maintain hindgut balance as forage changes
ā¢ Horses prone to loose droppings may benefit from additional short-term support during this period and the use of a sand cleanse or toxin binder to help clear the hindgut of any unwanted nasties
ā¢ Individuals that struggle with spring grass or metabolic changes may need more tailored nutritional support for their metabolism and gut health
Because ultimately, a smooth transition isnāt simply about whatās in your field (although that is important and look out for sycamore seedlings as well as rich grass!) itās about whatās happening inside the gut. Spring is one of the biggest seasonal shifts your horse will go through and a little planning now can make a big difference in how they come out the other side.
Start with a gut cleanse using Equell Dry Up for two weeks and then ensure you have their hindgut fully supported with prebiotics to keep the microbiome in optimal condition through these seasonal stresses.
How are you managing the transition this year? Do you gradually increase turnout or are yours already out 24/7? š
Feel free to share! š
