Spring grass madness

[mrslaughan]

What's everyone's top pick to combat this. My DS pony (Connie) has been an absolute saint the last 4 1/2 months - but he just in the last couple of weeks has had the odd naughty moment- I think there is no coincidence that it has coincided with our spring grass coming in ..... what is everyone's top pick for dealing with this?
MTIA

I introduce the spring grass gradually but then during the winter my boy's on all weather surface with hay. So he's out alternate days when he first goes back on grass and just for a few hours until his system adjusts.

Sometimes it's not just the grass though - it's just spring and he was full of it this morning. Lunging or loose schooling first helps. I make it clear he's allowed a buck and a play, just not with me on board!

If I'm going to hack off road I make sure I have a good long, uphill trot first - really make them work, on the bit, pushing them forwards. As much as anything it's an attitude of mind. You have to steal yourself so that if they feel full of it, you're bold, push forward and make them work. I'm fortunate thought that whilst DHorse gets excited and strong he doesn't really lose the plot and I trust him. So if he starts playing around I have a laugh with him, relax and enjoy it. It's spring, the days are getting longer, there's good riding ahead - if he kicks up his heels, so be it. Just so long as he's aware I'm there with him and don't want to be on the floor!

Spring grass is usually lacking in magnesium so you could try supplementing for a few months? It's worked for us. Magnesium deficiency can manifest itself in the behaviour you describe. (And it's usually 5-10 mins after being ridden). We use ForagePlus - look them up on the Internet - lots of useful info on their website.

It is interesting what Draughty has said. My horse has been having magnesium supplements all winter, as he is young and a bit daft. He hasn't changed much with the spring grass coming in, apart from possibly being very slightly more spooky, so it does seem that it might work.

That's interesting, I had a Shetland the last couple of years for DD2 and he turned from a saint to a little beast in the Spring! Didn't know about magnesium.

performanceequinenutrition.com/magnesium-101/magnesium-mineral-superhero/

I am a little nervous of magnesium - i have two friends whose horses go the other way on magnesium...... I am looking at chelated calcium as well......

Read the link - it's quite interesting. I agree it's not for every horse (but you don't know if you don't try it!) and I guess the only way of really knowing if the grass is deficient is to have it tested.

I've put my horse on magnesium this year too, he's a lot calmer now