01
Introduction
It's a familiar and heartbreaking scenario for many horse owners. Your usually gentle, well-mannered horse has suddenly transformed into an unrecognisable beast. The sweet companion who normally greets you with gentle nickers is now pinning their ears, swishing their tail, and showing aggressive behaviours that leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about your equine partner.
If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. As winter transitions to spring, countless horse owners find themselves dealing with dramatic personality changes in their horses. What many don't realise is that this "spring fever" often has less to do with excess energy and more to do with what's happening in their horse's digestive system.
02
When Good Horses Go Bad: The Spring Transformation
The changes can be both subtle and dramatic. Perhaps your horse has started:
- Pinning their ears and showing aggressive body language during normal handling
- Biting or threatening to bite when being groomed or tacked up
- Kicking out when approached in the field or during routine care
- Rearing under saddle or showing extreme resistance to normal requests
- Bucking unexpectedly during rides that would normally be peaceful
- Showing extreme tension in their body and hypersensitivity to touch
- Becoming impossible to catch or handle in the field
- Displaying unusual spookiness or reactivity to ordinary stimuli
For many riders, these behaviour changes aren't just frustrating – they're frightening. When a previously reliable horse becomes unpredictable or aggressive, it can shake your confidence to its core. Some riders find themselves dreading yard visits, while others may even consider giving up their beloved hobby altogether.
03
The Hidden Culprit: Spring Grass and Gut Health
While it's tempting to attribute these changes to "spring fever" or excess energy, the real culprit often lies in your horse's digestive system (2). Spring grass, while lush and appealing, can wreak havoc on equine gut health.
During spring, grass undergoes rapid growth and contains high levels of sugars, particularly fructans (3). Horses didn't evolve to process large amounts of these sugars at once. When they consume spring grass, several things happen:
1. The surge of sugars overwhelms the horse's natural digestive capacity
2. Excess sugars reach the hindgut, where they ferment rapidly
3. This fermentation creates an acidic environment in the gut
4. The acidity disrupts the delicate balance of gut bacteria
5. The resulting discomfort and inflammation can trigger dramatic behaviour changes
Research has shown a clear connection between gut health and behaviour in horses (2). A study published in Scientific Reports found that horses' behavioural patterns, including aggression and hypervigilance, were directly associated with their gut microbiome profile (1). When horses experience digestive distress, it can manifest as what we perceive as "bad behaviour."
04
Understanding the Gut-Brain Connection
The connection between your horse's digestive system and their brain is a two-way communication highway that explains why digestive discomfort can cause dramatic behavior changes (2). Scientists call this the "gut-brain axis," and it's a fascinating area of research that helps explain why digestive issues can lead to such dramatic behaviour changes.
When your horse's gut is uncomfortable or inflamed, it doesn't just affect their physical comfort. The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in producing neurotransmitters and other compounds that influence mood and behaviour (2). When this system is disrupted, it can lead to:
- Increased anxiety and tension
- Heightened pain sensitivity
- Altered mood and emotional responses
- Changes in stress tolerance
- Unpredictable reactions to normal stimuli
05
Finding Solutions: The role of EquiNectar
While limiting access to spring grass through restricted grazing or grass muzzles can help, many horses still struggle with digestive issues during this challenging season. This is where digestive support becomes crucial. One solution that many horse owners have found helpful is EquiNectar.
EquiNectar is a digestive supplement that works by providing active enzymes to support proper digestion. These enzymes help break down the sugars and starches in spring grass before they can cause problems in the hindgut.
Unlike traditional calming supplements that might just mask the symptoms, EquiNectar addresses the root cause of spring behaviour changes by supporting proper digestion and gut health. It contains enzymes like:
- Amylase - helps break down starches
- Fructanase - aids in processing the complex sugars found in spring grass
- Cellulase and xylanase - support proper fibre digestion
- Beta glucanase - improves overall feed digestibility
06
Real Success Stories
While limiting access to spring grass through restricted grazing or grass muzzles can help, many horses still struggle with digestive issues during this challenging season. This is where digestive support becomes crucial. One solution that many horse owners have found helpful is EquiNectar.The transformation can be remarkable when horses receive appropriate digestive support.
As one horse owner, Dawn S., shared in her review: "I originally bought this for my Welsh pony who was so sore he couldn't even trot... it turned out it was all from hindgut pain which resolved very quickly with EquiNectar and he's now back to galloping around bucking with his friends."
Another owner reported: "Almost immediate noticeable difference in attitude and behaviour... I own a very different horse now, family and friends will now happily handle her."
See all our reviews here!
07
Taking Action: Supporting Your Horse Through Spring
If your horse is showing concerning behaviour changes this spring, consider these steps:
1. Have your vet rule out any physical issues or pain-related problems
2. Evaluate your horse's grazing routine and consider gradual introduction to spring grass
3. Look for signs of digestive discomfort such as loose droppings, gassiness, or tension around the belly
4. Consider adding digestive support like EquiNectar to help your horse process spring grass more effectively
5. Monitor changes in behaviour and keep a diary to track improvements
08
The Road to Recovery
Remember, when your horse is acting out, they're not being "misbehaved" – they're trying to tell you something. By addressing the root cause of their discomfort, you can help them return to their normal, pleasant self.
With proper support, many horses show significant improvement in both their digestive comfort and their behaviour. The key is recognising that what looks like a behaviour problem may actually be a digestive issue in disguise.
Don't let spring grass anxiety ruin your relationship with your horse. By understanding the connection between gut health and behaviour, and providing appropriate support, you can help your horse navigate the challenges of spring grass season comfortably and safely.
The sweet, well-mannered horse you know and love is still in there – they might just need a little help getting their gut back in balance. With patience, understanding, and the right support, you can help your "spring monster" transform back into your horse.
References
1. Mach, N., Ruet, A., Clark, A., Bars-Cortina, D., Ramayo-Caldas, Y., Crisci, E., Pennarun, S., Dhorne-Pollet, S., Foury, A., Moisan, M. P., & Lansade, L. (2020). Priming for welfare: gut microbiota is associated with equitation conditions and behavior in horse athletes. Scientific reports, 10(1), 8311. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65444-9
2. Waring, R. (2023, January 17). How gut health affects behaviour and mood in horses, humans and other animals. EquiNectar. https://equinectar.com/2023/01/how-gut-health-affects-behaviour-and-mood-in-horses-humans-and-other-animals/
3. Nedas, B. (2024, March 7). Spring Fever in Horses: Understanding and Managing Seasonal Changes. EquiNectar. https://equinectar.com/2024/03/spring-fever-in-horses-understanding-and-managing-seasonal-changes/
ABOUT EQUINECTAR
Description
EquiNectar® is a natural feed supplement, that is scientifically proven to:
- Re-balance your horse’s gut bacteria
- Help your horse maximise benefits from its feed
- Improve your horse’s condition
More information
EquiNectar® is produced by Tharos Ltd in the UK. It is a natural source of digestive enzymes and contains only the following ingredients:
- Our patented enzyme rich malt extract
- Medium chain triglycerides (from coconut oil)
- Potassium sorbate
For more details of the enzymes within EquiNectar® take a look at the ingredients and enzymes page.
How to feed
Simply add EquiNectar® to your horse's daily feed, using the Feeding Rate chart to determine the correct amount.
For detailed instructions about how to introduce EquiNectar, please read the comprehensive Feeding Guide page.
