After weeks of heat and sunshine, fields have been looking more like the Sahara. Now the rain has arrived, the grass can recover and, with sunshine too, start growing rapidly.

For owners of good-doers, overweight horses and ponies prone to laminitis, this is the time to think carefully about grazing management.

Fresh, rapidly growing grass can be particularly rich in sugars and energy. A sudden increase in access to lush pasture can be a concern for horses that are overweight or at risk of laminitis.
So, what can you do?

The key is to manage how much grass your horse has access to and how quickly their diet changes.

Consider:

• Restricting grazing time
• Using a grazing muzzle where appropriate
• Creating a smaller, well-managed grazing area
• Keeping an eye on weight and body condition
• Having a reliable forage option available

For horses whose grazing needs to be restricted, good-quality forage can play an important role in a controlled feeding routine. Our EH Lite haylage, EH Hay and EH Straw (used as a forage diluter) can be particularly good options for weight control.