Horses grazing

Grass Growth After Rain: Why It Can Be Riskier Than You Think

Horse Care & Welfare| New Horse Owners| Community & Real Talk
September 15, 2025•2 min read

Why rain changes everything.

After a long dry spell, a few days of rain can make grass explode into growth. To the human eye, it might not look like much - just short, fresh shoots. But to a horse, those tiny blades are pure sugar.

And that’s where the risk lies.

The hidden risks of post-rain grass.

  • Colic: The sudden change in diet and high sugar content can upset the gut.

  • Laminitis: Ponies and horses with EMS or metabolic issues are particularly vulnerable.

  • Loose droppings: Sudden grass changes often show up in manure first.

  • “Nothing to see here” trap: Owners often think the field looks bare, but if your horse’s head is down, they’re definitely eating something.

Pony with laminitis

Signs your horse might be affected:

  • More gassy or uncomfortable than usual

  • Change in droppings (looser or more frequent)

  • Subtle signs of foot soreness or reluctance to move forward

  • Mild colic symptoms after turnout

Even small changes matter - they’re your early warning system.

What you can do.

  • Introduce slowly: Limit turnout after rain, especially for at-risk horses.

  • Use muzzles or strip graze: Helps control intake.

  • Keep hay or haylage on hand: Offers fibre that’s safer and consistent.

  • Monitor carefully: Droppings, behaviour, and feet give you valuable feedback.

  • Know your horse’s history: Older ponies, those with EMS, or laminitic tendencies need extra caution.

Why this year is especially tricky.

After a long dry summer, many horses have been on restricted grazing or supplemented with hay. When the rain finally comes, the sudden abundance of sugar-rich grass is even more of a shock to the system.

The Horse Owner Starter Kit

👉 Sudden grass changes can catch any horse owner out. The Horse Owner’s Starter Kit gives you the tools to log droppings, turnout, behaviour, and grazing changes, so you can spot the warning signs before they turn into a bigger problem.

Inside you’ll find:
✔️ Weekly and monthly care trackers
✔️ Space to log droppings, behaviour, and turnout
✔️ Appointment and vet visit logs
✔️ Emergency contacts and quick-reference pages

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Lisa Todd is a UKCC coach, licensed mindset coach, and lifelong horsewoman. She’s run a busy livery yard, coached riders at every level, and knows the highs and head games that come with horses. No fluff, no jargon - just the real support horse owners need to feel confident and do right by their horses.

Lisa Todd

Lisa Todd is a UKCC coach, licensed mindset coach, and lifelong horsewoman. She’s run a busy livery yard, coached riders at every level, and knows the highs and head games that come with horses. No fluff, no jargon - just the real support horse owners need to feel confident and do right by their horses.

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