GrassisGrowing

Contributing Writer, Kim Wright

Yes!! The Grass is Growing!!

Oh No!! The Grass is Growing!!

Just when you thought you could kick back and let your horses go to work mowing that beautiful pasture, quit buying hay and grain, turn 'em out and get a break from stall cleaning..... look out, because your horses could be headed for disaster!

Horses have been "off grass" for the last 4 months while wintry temperatures kept pastures from growing. Even though your horses were still out on the pasture, they weren't consuming enough to sustain them (remember the winter feed bills?). Your horse is used to eating a measured amount of grain and hay to keep warm, to keep in good weight, and to keep his energy level up. You were balancing that daily for him, adjusting more when he needed it, less when he didn't. But now, here is the grass and there is no need to monitor your horses condition?! Just look how fat he's gotten since April 1st!! This kind of thinking unfortunately brings the demise of many horses each spring.

Springtime pasture growth is a SUDDEN CHANGE in your horse's dietary regimen. You definitely need to CLOSELY monitor his weight AND his hoof temperature daily! You wouldn't turn your horse loose in the feed room would you? Similarly, horses will overeat on pasture and it can be just as deadly as having a horse break into the grain bin. Too much pasture will cause your horse to founder! Year after year, veterinarians receive the same calls from the same farms, often about the same horses, who, once again have foundered on spring grass. Does it have to happen? Can we learn from last years close calls?? Yes, and it's a lot simpler than you think.

What is founder?

Founder, simply defined, occurs when the horse's foot separates from the hoof. You've heard the saying "no hoof, no horse"? Well, let's just say that you never, ever want to find out why. Laminitis is a term generally used to describe the inflammation of the laminae (which has been likened to the "glue" which holds the foot to the hoof). A very observant owner will notice his or her horse is "a little off" and upon feeling the hooves find heat which indicate laminitis. If only one foot feels hot, you probably have an abscess. But if 2 or more of your horse's feet feel hot to the touch, you probably are feeling the inflammation of the laminae, the precursor to founder. The term "founder" is normally reserved for describing conditions involving the separation of the hoof from the foot, and may involve 2 or all 4 feet. If you've ever seen a horse who has foundered, there is an unmistakable stance (unless they are already down) that a foundered horse will take in order to try to lessen the pain: both front feet out unusually far in front ("parked out") and depending upon whether the rear feet are involved or not, the rear feet may be well under the horse, trying to support all of the weight. His ears will be back indicating his discomfort and head normally drooping and depressed in appearance. He will resist any attempt to make him walk (or get up, if he is already down), and, unmistakably also, his feet will be hot to the touch and you will detect a very strong rapid pulse just above his hoof. If you find your horse in this state, despite taking every precaution (their are also toxic founders, post foaling founders, and other causes besides eating too much), CALL YOUR VETERINARIAN ASAP! This is possibly the biggest emergency you will ever face as a horse owner. As soon as you get your veterinarian on the way, get those feet cooled down. Permanent damage is being caused by the heat! Cold hosing, saturating sand and making him stand in it, getting him to the nearest stream or pond (if he will walk) and have him stand in there until the vet arrives, ice down the stall (yes, I said ice down the stall - this is an emergency!) with enough ice to cover his feet, whatever you have to do. When your vet arrives, he will confirm your diagnosis, give injectable anti-inflammatories and tell you how to proceed from there. If your horse is in a great deal of pain, and your veterinarian sees that it is hopeless, he will advise you to euthanize your horse. If you've caught it in time, possibly your horse will recover, but it may be months before you know. Despite all efforts to save your horse, the damage may already be done. Your veterinarian will want to monitor the horse's condition for many days following and he will let you know when you are out of the woods. Even if he recovers, you may or may not ever be able to ride your horse again, if the coffin bone has rotated too far. The worst case scenario would be if your horse had (or later developed) "sinkers", a term that refers to the coffin bone actually penetrating the sole of the horse's hoof. Sinkers are considered hopeless, as far as prognosis. There are veterinary hospitals which specialize in the treatment of the foundered horse, and may give you hope even if you have sinkers, but, there are no guarantees the horse will live or ever be ridden again, no matter how much money you spend trying to save him.

So, what can horse owner's do to try to prevent their horses from foundering on spring grass?

A. Monitor your horse's weight closely. Buy one of those measuring tapes which are marked for horse's weight and "weigh" him every night. (Yes, I said every night!)

B. Feel your horse's hooves every night. This is the only way you will know if your horse is developing the early stages of laminitis. If you feel them every night, you'll know what feels normal for your horse, and you'll detect more heat right away. If you clean your horse's feet every night, you are already feeling them, just start making a mental note of how warm they are. You may be able to detect heat before your horse gains noticeable weight.

C. Feel the fetlocks nightly for a strong pulse. Even before you detect heat, if you feel a strong pulse just above the horse's hoof, you will catch it before the damage starts (remember heat causes permanent damage!). Again, a simple task to ad to your regular routine. If caught early enough, you can make the necessary adjustments before it progresses any further!

D. Start him on pasture slowly! Even though he has been living out on the same pasture all winter, you now need to start controlling the amount of time he spends on spring grass. Now is definitely NOT the time to give him full turn out! Reduce his hours on pasture by keeping him in a dirt paddock or stall at least 12 hours of the day or night. From there, if he gains weight, cut down to 6 hours of pasture turnout. Still gaining? Limit to 2 hours pasture turnout! You are in control of the amount of feed your horse consumes!! Monitor the grass intake just a closely as you monitored his grain intake all winter. If necessary, invest in a muzzle which will limit the amount of grass your horse can eat. If you have a horse that needs to gain weight, on the other hand - you still need to break him into pasture grass slowly! Start with regular grain and hay rations and a few hours turnout, then gradually give him more and more turnout. If you work your way up to full turnout and he still needs weight (assuming he is otherwise in good health), then ad more grain or supplements if necessary. Do everything slowly!! Horses cannot take sudden changes in their diet regimens, even though mother nature is the one causing it.

E. Know your horse's history! If your horse has ever foundered, he is pre-disposed to foundering! Your horse must be CLOSELY monitored at all times, not only in springtime, but year round. Fall can be an especially dangerous time of year on pasture as well, because the sugar content of the grasses rise (another sudden change in your horse's diet!). If you can, get past veterinary records on your horse and find out if he has ever been treated for laminitis or founder. It doesn't matter what caused it, your horse is now pre-disposed to doing it again. If your horse has Thyroid Disease or Cushing's Disease you will also need to be very vigilant, because laminitis is a symptom of both.

F. Does your horse get "growth rings" around his hooves? If you see uneven growth rings on your horse's hooves, your horse may be especially sensitive to changes in diet. Though they can be caused by other things, such as fever, if you can see rings around your horse's hooves (from the last 6 months of hoof growth), you will want to be especially vigilant with that horse.

G. What breed is your horse? Some breeds are pre-disposed to founder. Heavy breeds that are easy keepers (who stay fat without grain) are especially at risk, as well as miniature horses and ponies. But, keep in mind, ANY BREED HORSE CAN FOUNDER! All horses have the propensity to overeat.

H. Consult with your vet. Your veterinarian will give you an honest assessment of your horse's weight. Ask him or her what to do to prevent laminitis and/or founder. He can teach you how to feel your horse's feet for heat as well as show you how to check for the pulse in the fetlock. If you have any questions about managing your horse's weight, consult with your veterinarian.

This article is not intended to replace veterinary advice. If you have any questions about keeping horses on pasture, as always, please consult with your veterinarian.