Simple Pasture Tips Heading Into Summer
Pasture can be a wonderful part of your horse’s daily routine, especially as we move into late spring and early summer. Green grass provides exercise, enrichment, and nutrition, but it is important to manage grazing carefully to keep your horse healthy and your pasture in good shape.
Here are some easy-to-follow tips to help you make the most of pasture season.
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Start Slow, Even When Grass Looks Great
Even if your pasture looks lush and ready, horses should be introduced gradually, especially if they have been eating mostly hay over the winter.
- Feed hay before turnout so your horse does not go out on pasture hungry
- Start with 15 to 20 minutes of grazing
- Add a little more time each day
This slow build up helps your horse’s digestive system adjust and lowers the risk of tummy troubles.
Not All Grazing Times Are the Same
Grass changes throughout the day. During sunny hours, especially in the afternoon, grass can be higher in sugars and starches.
For many horses, especially:
- Easy keepers
- Horses prone to laminitis
- Horses with insulin resistance
It is best to graze during lower sugar times of day:
✅ Early morning, around 5:00 to 10:00 a.m.
✅ Late night into early morning, after midnight
Limiting pasture access during high sugar times can make a big difference in long term health.
Protecting Your Pasture Helps Your Horse Too
Try not to let horses graze grass too short. Once pasture is eaten down too low, it struggles to grow back.
- Aim to keep grass at least 3 to 4 inches tall
- Rotate fields or use dry lots if possible
- Rest pastures when needed
Healthy pasture lasts longer and provides better nutrition over the season.
Why Horses Still Need Supplements on Pasture
It is a common surprise for horse owners that grass alone usually does not provide everything a horse needs, even when it looks great.
Pasture quality naturally changes from week to week and month to month. Important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and quality protein can vary depending on weather, soil conditions, and how mature the grass is.
This is where ration balancers and mineral supplements come in. They help fill nutritional gaps without adding excess calories.
Purina Canada Options to Support Pasture Diets
Even high‑quality pasture cannot consistently provide all the vitamins and minerals horses need. Nutrient levels in grass and hay vary with soil, weather, and maturity, which is why ration balancers and supplements play an important role in pasture‑based diets.
Purina® Equilizer® is a low‑calorie, low NSC ration balancer designed for pleasure horses, easy keepers, ponies, and miniature horses. It delivers essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids while helping control calories and protein intake. Equilizer is highly palatable, will not cause excitability, and its low starch and sugar content makes it suitable for horses with metabolic concerns.
Purina® Optimal® is a concentrated, low NSC ration balancer ideal for broodmares, growing foals, and active sport or leisure horses, including ponies and miniatures. It supports topline, muscle development, and overall condition, especially when hay is low in protein or during periods of higher nutritional demand. Its low starch and sugar formulation supports horses that require careful carbohydrate management.
Purina® EZ Balance® Purina® EZ Balance® is a low NSC vitamin and mineral supplement designed to complement grass or hay‑only diets. It helps fill nutrient gaps without adding extra calories for horses that maintain condition easily on forage alone while still requiring controlled starch and sugar intake.
A Balanced Approach Works Best
Pasture is a great foundation, but smart grazing habits and balanced nutrition make all the difference. By choosing the right turnout times, easing into grazing, and supporting grass with the right supplement, you are setting your horse up for a healthy, happy summer.
If you are unsure what is best for your horse, a Purina Equine Nutrition Specialist can help you choose the right approach for your horse’s needs.