The Benefits of Longer Grass for Horses

These two are now doing well on their longer grass.

I recently received an email from one of my newsletter readers about grass height in pastures. Gail said she had been trialling letting her paddocks revert to a more natural state, and found that her whole herd - horses, donkey, and pony – lost all their excess weight and were grazing a wider variety of grasses. Her horses and pony had been bordering on laminitis (founder), and now they maintain a healthy weight over summer, with supplements and a little quality hay. She said she has noticed grass dwelling birds have returned, with lots of little finches. Gail has a track mown around the perimeter of her fence line to protect the horse mesh fencing. In the past she sold a beautiful horse because she couldn't keep the weight off and didn’t realise the difference pasture height can make to horses, she wishes she knew about this years ago and asked me if I’d write an article about it. So here we go…

Pasture management is a crucial aspect of maintaining our horses' overall health. One of the key factors that can impact a horse's health is the sugar content in their grass. Surprisingly, longer grass contains less sugar than shorter, newer growth, and this can have significant health benefits for horses. Horses’ digestive systems are designed to process fibrous plant material, which plays a crucial role in promoting healthy digestion, making grass an essential part of their diet. Understanding how the sugar content in grass varies with height is vital for managing their nutrition and preventing certain health conditions.

Grasses are classified as monocotyledons (monocots), with one cotyledon (seed leaf) in the seed. In monocots like grasses, the growth of the stem occurs from a specialized meristematic region near the base, allowing the plant to continue growing without the need for a central growth tip. This means the sweeter new growth is closest to the ground, with the taller older plant tissue being more fibrous. Dicotyledons (dicots) have two cotyledons in their seeds and are plants having leaves, such as roses and beans. These plants have growth points at their tips with the sweet new growth occurring there.

Better Weight ManagementGrass, like other plants, contains natural sugars, primarily in the form of fructans. These are a type of carbohydrate that plants store for energy. The sugar content in grass is influenced by several factors, such as the time of year, the species of grass, and environmental conditions. When grass is cut short or grazed heavily, it enters a phase of rapid growth, and it’s in this phase that sugar concentrations are at their peak. The plant needs extra energy for growth, and sugars, particularly fructans, provide that energy.Longer grass tends to have a lower sugar content. As grass matures, it focuses more on building structural components, like fibre and cellulose, which are less sugary. The plant's focus is on strengthening its cell walls and supporting its overall structure. As a result, the sugar concentration in longer, mature grass naturally decreases, making it a safer option for horses, especially those with metabolic sensitivities. Horses grazing on longer grass are often able to manage their weight naturally. Grazing on longer grass can be a simple and effective way to reduce the intake of sugars while still allowing the horse to engage in natural grazing behaviours, providing the mental and physical stimulation they need.

Impact of Sugar on Horse HealthHorses are herbivores with complex digestive systems that require a diet rich in fibre to stay healthy. Excessive sugar in their diet can lead to serious health issues. High sugar intake is particularly problematic for horses with metabolic disorders such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or insulin resistance (IR), conditions that are like type 2 diabetes in humans. These horses are more prone to developing laminitis, a painful and often debilitating condition affecting the hooves.Laminitis occurs when there is inflammation in the laminae of the hoof, which can result from an overload of sugars in the bloodstream. When horses eat high-sugar grass, their bodies must process and manage the excess sugar, which can lead to spikes in insulin levels and, in some cases, laminitis. Therefore, ensuring that horses have access to grass with lower sugar content can help reduce their risk of these conditions.

Improved Digestive HealthIn addition to containing less sugar, longer grass provides more fibre, which is essential for a horse’s digestive health. The fibre in longer grass helps support the horse's gut, promoting healthy digestion. The chewing process required for longer grass promotes the production of saliva, helping to break down food and neutralize stomach acids, reducing the risk of colic or other digestive issues. Horses tend to graze for longer periods on longer grass, leading to a slower and more consistent release of nutrients, reducing the likelihood of digestive upset.

Environmental BenefitsAllowing horses to graze on longer grass can be beneficial not only for the horses but also for the environment. Longer grass contributes to healthier soil. The roots of longer grass help prevent soil erosion and promote better water penetration. This, in turn, helps maintain a stable and productive pasture, which is essential for sustainable horse management.Additionally, longer grass helps to support a wider range of biodiversity in pastures. Various plant species thrive in longer grass, providing a more natural habitat for insects and small wildlife, which can create a balanced ecosystem. This diverse environment not only benefits the horses but also contributes to maintaining a healthier, more resilient pasture over time. The diversity of grasses found in pastures with longer grass often includes different plant species that contribute to a more balanced nutrient profile, giving horses a more varied diet.

The old-fashioned measure of a healthy grass height is to keep it over the height of a beer stubby bottle, underneath this height it’s high in sugars. This isn’t very scientific, but it’s about 15cm. If pasture is grazed to 5cm it’s best to move the horses and let the pasture recuperate, as this is entering a dangerous zone. By allowing our horses to graze on more mature grass, we can promote better digestive health, more natural behaviours and improved weight management while also improving the environment. It’s such a simple solution to maintaining our horse’s health in a myriad of ways.

Suzy Maloney B.Eq.Sc.Dip.Couns.

Happy Horses Bitless

Considerate Horsemanship

Email: suzy@happyhorsesbitless.com

Web: www.happyhorsesbitless.com

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Lismore, NSW, Australia

Ph: 0401 249 263