Feeding horses in autumn: avoiding laminitis, malnutrition and poisoning

When autumn arrives, the nights get colder. Rainfall increases and daylight decreases. These changes significantly alter the amount of grass available and its composition. At the same time, there is a risk of poisoning.

Adapting your horse’s diet in autumn and managing the pasture becomes essential!

1) Why does autumn disrupt the pasture?

During cold periods, grass growth stops. Fructans accumulate at the base of the stems, especially after nights below 5°C followed by sunny days. This is a risky situation for horses susceptible to laminitis.

Even if rain makes the pastures green again, the amount of dry matter that can actually be consumed remains much lower than in spring. Energy and protein requirements are no longer met. Cooler and wetter conditions also increase maintenance requirements.

In older horses, vigilance must be increased. Gradual weight loss may go unnoticed under thickening hair.

2) Good habits to adopt

To reduce these risks, grazing should be limited on nights when the temperature is below 5°C followed by sunshine. Horses susceptible to laminitis should graze very early in the morning. They should then be removed by mid-morning at the latest, with access to a dry area without grass and fodder low in soluble sugars.

To prevent malnutrition, supplement their diet with good quality fodder. As soon as the night-time temperature drops below 10°C, bring them into a dry, draught-free shelter at night, with water and fodder.

To prevent poisoning, access to risky areas must be prevented. The horse’s intake capacity must be supplemented with additional fodder. These measures provide a concrete framework for feeding horses in autumn.

3) Warning signs and dangers to be aware of

The factual elements to watch out for and be aware of are clear:

Nights < 5°C + sunshine = accumulation of fructans and risk of laminitis.
Autumn grass that has regrown but is low in dry matter ⇒ insufficient energy and protein intake, possible weight loss (especially in older horses).
Sycamore maple seedlings: hypoglycin A, postural and respiratory muscle damage, very dark urine, increased respiratory rate, mortality rate of up to 90% in 72 hours.
Oak acorns: tannins, colic, bloody diarrhoea, kidney damage, severity correlated with the amount ingested.

Knowing these clinical signs will help you to adjust your horse’s diet in autumn and organise grazing without delay.

4) Concrete and immediate action plan

At the end of August, fence off a strip of at least 3 metres along the oak and maple trees with electric wire.
Organise grazing for susceptible horses very early in the morning and remove them mid-morning during periods of risk. Provide a dry area without access to grass, with fodder low in soluble sugars.
Supplement their diet with fodder to limit the voluntary ingestion of leaves, seedlings and acorns. If the area is insufficient, limit outdoor access to daytime periods.
As soon as the night-time temperature falls below 10°C, bring them indoors at night to a dry, draught-free shelter with quality fodder and water. Increased vigilance for older horses.
Avoid overgrazing and trampling to preserve floral diversity and quality regrowth the following spring.

Applying these simple measures will ensure your horse has a secure food supply throughout the autumn.

Act now: keep your horse safe this autumn

Autumn is not just a simple transition! It is a key time when pasture management, choice of fodder and prevention of poisoning make all the difference. With a few temperature guidelines, suitable fodder supplements and clearly marked risk areas, you can protect your horses’ health and anticipate seasonal complications.

Need advice or suitable products? ✉️ Contact our HNP team for personalised support!

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