Myth-Buster #10. “Pasture Is Always Safe and Natural”

Pasture is often described as the most natural feed a horse can have.

People assume:

“Grass is what horses are meant to eat, so it must always be safe.”

Pasture can be wonderful.

But the myth is that pasture is automatically harmless.

In modern domestic conditions, pasture is often one of the most powerful dietary risk factors in the horse world.

Why People Believe This Myth

Horses evolved as grazing animals, so pasture feels instinctively correct.

And in many cases, it is.

But domestic pasture is not the same as wild grazing.

It is richer, denser, and far less variable than the forage horses evolved to survive on.

Modern Pasture Is Not Wild Pasture

Wild horses walk many miles each day, grazing sparse, fibrous grasses over large areas.

Domestic horses often face:

• Small paddocks

• Limited movement

• Improved “hot” grass varieties

• Continuous access

• High sugar growth cycles

The result is not natural moderation, it is sustained carbohydrate exposure.

Grass Sugar Changes Constantly

Pasture NSC can fluctuate dramatically depending on:

• Spring growth

• Cool sunny mornings

• Frost events

• Drought stress

• Afternoon sugar accumulation

Two hours on the same pasture can represent very different metabolic loads depending on conditions.

Pasture Is the Hidden Laminitis Trigger

For many horses, especially:

• Easy keepers

• Ponies

• Insulin resistant horses

• Previously laminitic horses

Rich pasture is not benign.

It is the most common pathway into metabolic crisis.

Cresty necks, fat pads, and sudden foot soreness often begin with grass, not grain.

“But My Horse Lives Outside”

Turnout is excellent.

Movement is essential.

But movement does not cancel rich pasture intake when the grass is too dense and sugar-heavy.

Pasture management is just as important as feed management.

The Practical Takeaway

Pasture should be managed, not assumed.

Owners should consider:

• Controlled turnout times

• Grazing muzzles when appropriate

• Dry lots for high-risk horses

• Forage-first balance with tested hay

• Body condition monitoring

• Seasonal awareness, especially spring and frost periods

Grass is not the enemy, but uncontrolled richness is.

Thrive Feed Principle

At Thrive Feed, we respect nature, but we also respect reality.

Pasture is not automatically safe.

Modern horses live in modern conditions, and feeding must be managed accordingly.

The healthiest horse is not the one with unlimited grass.

It is the one with balance, stability, and thoughtful control.