Managing Spring Turnout for sugar-sensitive ponies and horses

Cut down turnout in Spring for sugar-sensitive ponies and horses. Often heard; but how much…….let’s take a typical small native pony weighing 250-290kgs. 3 hours? No. I hour? No.

Why, of course everything depends upon the individual circumstances but a pony this size can easily eat at least 1.2kg of grass dry matter in one hour. That is more than his meal allowance of 1kg and it will be approximately 20% protein (fattening if eaten to excess but otherwise not problem-inducing) and 20% WSC (mainly sugar and a serious problem for ponies that over-react to sugar in their diet, producing spikes in a hormone called insulin).

So how long is safe in May and June? It depends on the pony and its individual circumstances but often no more than 20-30 minutes! Yes.

This can be twice a day, provided the turnout times are at least four hours apart. If you are worried about catching them then they may need a breakable but well-fitted leather headcollar on. They may also need to be tempted to be caught with a few tasty Equerry Minty Treats (they are cereal-grain-free and low in sugar and starch).