Managing Good-Doing Horses in Summer

Summer can pose challenges for managing good-doing horses—those who gain and maintain weight easily. With rich pasture growth, it’s crucial to implement strategies that help maintain a healthy body condition. Effective grazing control, a carefully balanced diet, and the use of a low-calorie balancer like Stamm 30 are key to summer weight management.

Smart Grazing Strategies

Lush summer grass is high in sugars and calories, which can contribute to excessive weight gain and increase the risk of laminitis. While it might seem that limiting pasture time would reduce calorie intake, studies show that horses may compensate by eating more quickly during restricted turnout periods. Therefore, the approach must be balanced.

Tactics to manage pasture intake include:

• Grazing muzzles, which reduce intake by up to 80% while still allowing horses to enjoy turnout and socialization.
• Track systems, which promote movement and reduce access to rich grass.
• Rotational grazing, allows grass to mature and become more fibrous and lower in sugar—making it less calorie-dense.
• Early morning turnout, to take advantage of lower sugar levels in the grass.

Monitoring behavioural changes is important. Horses may become frustrated with restricted grazing, so environmental enrichment and herd companionship are essential to minimize stress.

Encourage Regular Exercise

While diet is central to managing weight, exercise is equally important for keeping good-doers healthy. Even light, consistent movement helps burn excess calories, improve insulin sensitivity, and maintain muscle tone.

Options to encourage activity include:

• Daily ridden work such as hacking, schooling, or lunging

• In-hand work or groundwork for horses not in ridden work

• Turnout in larger or track-style paddocks that promote walking and foraging

• Polework or hill work to build strength and condition without overfeeding

Nutrition Without Extra Calories

Good-doers often require minimal to no hard feed, but a forage-only diet typically lacks essential nutrients. That’s where Stamm 30 plays an essential role.

Stamm 30 is a nutrient-dense, low-calorie balancer ideal for horses who don't need extra calories but still require high-quality nutrition. It offers:

• High-quality protein to support muscle tone and topline
• Vital vitamins and minerals to maintain hoof, coat, and metabolic health
• A low level of starch & sugar, making it suitable for horses prone to laminitis or metabolic issues

Feeding Stamm 30 daily ensures your horse receives all the nutrients needed for overall health, even on a calorie-restricted diet.

Monitor and Adjust

Regularly checking your horse’s body condition score (BCS) and weight with a tape can help detect subtle changes before they become an issue. Be prepared to adjust turnout routines, forage availability, and feed accordingly.

Expert Support When You Need It

Every horse is different, and managing weight effectively can sometimes require a more tailored approach. For personalised feeding plans or help choosing the right balance of nutrition, speak to the Bluegrass team. Their expert nutritional advice can make all the difference in keeping your good-doer healthy, happy, and in ideal condition all summer long.