28Texas horse owners know October is a transitional month for pastures, so fall forage for horses should be on their list of priorities. As summer’s heat gives way to the milder days of autumn, it’s time to shift focus to fall forage management. The changing season brings new considerations for pasture care and hay selection, ensuring your horses stay healthy and well-fed as they head into winter. Proper nutritional planning now can prevent weight loss and keep your equine partners in top condition.

Pasture Management in the Fall

While fall grass can look lush and green, it presents unique challenges. Cooler temperatures and increased moisture can cause a surge in non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs), particularly sugars like fructan. This can be dangerous for horses prone to laminitis or metabolic issues. It’s wise to limit grazing time during periods of frost followed by bright, sunny days, as this is when sugar levels can spike.

This is also a good time to assess your pastures. Consider dragging them to break up manure piles and reduce parasite exposure. If your pasture is thinning, overseeding with a cool-season grass can help improve forage availability and prevent erosion over the winter months.

Selecting Quality Hay

Fall is the time when many horse owners stock up on hay for winter. The quality of this hay is crucial, as it will likely be your horse’s primary source of nutrition for several months. When selecting hay, inspect it for color, smell, and texture. It should have a pleasant, sweet smell and be free of dust, mold, and weeds. Hay that is overly bleached or has a musty odor should be avoided.

As horses burn more calories to stay warm in colder weather, their forage intake will naturally increase. Ensure you have an adequate supply to last through the winter, calculating roughly 1.5-2% of your horse’s body weight in hay per day.

Meeting Nutritional Needs

A horse’s primary diet should always be forage. As the nutritional quality of pasture declines, high-quality hay becomes even more important. For most horses at maintenance, good hay and access to a salt and mineral block are sufficient. However, horses in heavy work, older horses, or those who struggle to maintain weight may benefit from supplemental feed to meet their increased energy requirements. Always ensure a constant supply of fresh, clean water, as horses often drink less in cold weather, increasing the risk of impaction colic.

We have just about everything you could need for your horse, here at Arcola Feed. We also have many years of knowledge that can help you make those improvements with your Fall Forage for Horses. Feel free to stop in, even if your just saying hi.