why???

[parsharainbow]

Why does the spring grass make my already loopy TB more loopy!! He was awful in my lesson yesterday, in fact I had to stop the lesson. I know everyone always talks about spring grass but why does it do this to his brain? I know I prob sound a bit silly asking but I know the grass makes his head go - (obviously - I'm the stupid one on his back) but I don't know why!!! - can anyone explain!

[ponytude]

It's because the weather is nice out and they think they should be allowed to romp around in the pasture ALLLLLLL day :D ;) :rolleyes:

[parsharainbow]

so its not the grass then - its the weather? :) The little toe-rag that he is!!?? :) I suppose it is that feel good factor when the sun is out, I always feel better when the sun is out I s'pose (but hopefully I don't behave like that!!)

[Kj & Jemima]

The spring grass has more sugar in it (hence the laminitis problem) and so it generally gives them more energy. (Bit like a small child and lots of sweets I always think!)

I think the sunshine has the same effect on horses that it has on humans, just makes us all feel a bit better!

[ponytude]

Thats what I think. Thats what the guys at our barn do when the weathers nice and there isn't much grass for them right now as there in another pasture, not the big grassy pasture. Though I am sure they would love to go in it :rolleyes:

[nicolaj]

I understand, could be wrong, that it's something to do with the sugar in the new fresh grass. According to an article on feeding I read in one of the well known horsey mags, the grass at this time of year can have as much sugar in it than competition mix, and this could quite possibly make them a bit hyper.

As the season goes on, the sugar content reduces, thus will hopefully the fizzy behaviour as long as your not feeding anything that could produce this.

This time of year is also a period where laminities (sorry can't spell today) can make an appearance. Some theories suggest that it is triggered as a result of fructose in the grass ie sugar.

I'm sure this is a very basic explanation, maybe others can add to this?

[kayjayhorses]

During spring-time the grass will become nutritous, so providing more energy levels, the extra energy levels will excite many horses, feed intake is usually altered going into spring, you would feed your horse differently during winter as you would spring/summer, I would cut the concentrate feed intake as they would get more from the grass.

All of this does depend upon the type of horse and its work level.

[parsharainbow]

Thanks guys - think I'll cut out hard feed for him as he really is awful (big understatement there) at the moment, :o I think that if my instructor hadn't have been stood there yesterday and I was so determined not to embarrass myself in front of her...... I would have been off!!! He's just soooooo scary when he's like that!!

the grass at this time of year can have as much sugar in it than competition mix,
That is unbelieveable - no wonder he's nuts!!! I have to keep him on really low energy feed all year because any sugar/grain blows his brains - guess he's just really susceptible to certain food types!! :( :(

During spring-time the grass will become nutritous, so providing more energy levels, the extra energy levels will excite many horses
he's certainly exciteable I'll give him that much!! but at least I know why now, I knew it was the grass but wasn't sure why exactly!!

[Megans mum]

not just TB's either my welsh cob second day on the summer field' bucked till she got me off' cow' than calmly walked back to the others' she got taken out for a couple of hours so didn't work for her' but I am jolly sore'' blow the spring grass'

[parsharainbow]

aaaaaw nooooo!!!! - painful!!!!!- are you ok?

I've decided I'm not riding mine for a week after his last performance - blow that - I can think of more peaceful ways to kill myself :D

What do you tend to do when yours is like this? I need advice from someone with a similar problem (like you :) aren't you lucky!!), do you think lunging would help or do you think they are too far gone at the moment for that to make any difference? I'm afraid to get back on him for the time being to be quite honest!! :(

[nicolaj]

Probably good idea to cut out concentrates, but if worried about him getting all the vitamins & Minerals, then maybe feed a multi purpose suplement in a handfull of chaff.

If he's excitable at the moment, then not working maybe a bad idea. If possible turn him out 24/7 and allow him to burn off excess energy. Generally, (I know not all the time) horses turned out 24/7 are less excitable than those who are stabled as can run off their energy, but not always the case.

Can quite understand you being worried about getting back on, maybe worth doing some ground work to help build up your relationship and trust again. But be mindful to make sure what you do is interesting and not just sending him round in circles when lunging for no reason. Try 'playing games' such things as Parelli, not saying you should aim to be a whizz at these, but just 'mess' about with purpose. What about long-reining, could do this over trotting poles and other obsticles, set up obsticle course with poles and small jumps and work with him over these.

You should also talk to your instructor for advice as well, and maybe when you feel ready to get back on perhaps ask for their help. Whatever you do , do it with some purpose other you and your horse will get bored.

Hope you sort it out.

[parsharainbow]

Hi Nicolaj and thanks.

Unfortunately he had started to go out 24hrs a day, so have decided he can now be reduced to 5 or 6 hours a day on the grass as it is badly affecting him, with as much hay in his stable as he wants but no hard feed (I feel cruel!!!!) - mind you today I have noticed he has a snotty nose and a runny eye, so wondering if this had anything to do with it!! :(

Will give him a multi purpose supplement and some apple chaff I think (really dont think molassed chaff a good idea at this point in time!!!!)

[nicolaj]

Fair point, if the grass is making him fizzy too much not a good idea! Unless you've got some grazing that is quite poor with ad lib hay might help, but difficult if not your own land.

Might start to settle down with new regime and no concentrate. Hope it works out, nothing worse than feeling despondent with your horse.

:)

[Portia]

My little mare is also being a bit of a madam at the moment :o

This has been an interesting post; I was aware of the raised sugar in grass at this time of year, but exploring further there seems to be some suggestion that erratic behaviour may occur as a result of vitamin/mineral deficiency - apparently grass doesnt release as much magnesium as usual this time of year?!

Certainly when I was at the saddlers mooching around (as one does :) ), read the ingredients of some of the so-called homeopathic calmers, and -yup - there was magnesium and vit B high up on the contents list!

Have to say I personally am a little dubious of such supplementation, however, a grazing herd in the wild would find forage to suit their nutritional requirements, whereas ours are essentially static feeders.

I've just accepted her behaviour, make sure she has some hay before she goes out on the grass, and work her quietly or lunge to get the fizz out ;) !

[parsharainbow]

thanks everyone - certainly got some things to think about there!!! He's still 'up in the air' today and bouncing around like zebedee but marginally quieter than he was (or is that wishful thinking!!!). I think I might buy a calming supplement with the magnesium and vit b that portia mentioned and give that a go, the lunging has worked marginally but I know that he could be a lot better. So off to the tack shop I go - what a good excuse for a spending spree :)