The Finnish summer does not always offer sunshine and dry pastures.
Long rainy spells can quickly turn a pasture soft, muddy and in places difficult to walk on. Even though there may appear to be grass as far as the eye can see, constant moisture brings with it challenges that are worth taking into account both in pasture management and in the horse's wellbeing.
The first change is often visible in the pasture itself. Heavy rain makes the grass grow quickly, but at the same time the tall sward becomes heavy.
When water collects in the stalks and the wind blows, the grass lodges, in other words it flattens against the ground. On wet ground, the movement of horses easily tramples the lodged sward into the mud, so that part of the pasture can become practically inedible.
The horse is a selective grazer
Horses are particular eaters. They prefer to choose clean, upright-growing grass, avoiding sward that has been pressed against the ground, become soiled or already begun to decompose. As a result, areas easily form in the pasture where the grass is grazed down closely, while elsewhere long, uneaten tufts of grass are left behind. Wet ground wears away quickly, especially near gates, watering points and walkways.
If several pasture paddocks are available, it is worth rotating them wherever possible. This gives the ground time to dry and the sward time to recover. If, on the other hand, the pasture starts to wear down heavily, it may be sensible to supplement feeding with good-quality hay or other roughage instead of letting the horse try to find something to eat on a muddy pasture.
Although grass grows abundantly in rainy weather, that does not necessarily mean the horse gets everything it needs from it. Wet grass contains a great deal of water, which lowers its dry matter content.
In practice, the horse has to eat a larger quantity of grass in order to get the same amount of fibre as in drier conditions. The nutritional content of pasture grass varies with the weather conditions, so a lush appearance alone does not tell the whole truth.
Moisture affects the hooves and the skin
Long rainy spells quickly show in the horse's hooves as well. The hoof consists mainly of keratin, which binds moisture. When a horse stands day after day on a wet pasture or in a muddy paddock, the horn of the hoof softens.
A softened hoof wears down more easily than usual and shoes may come off more readily. The hoof's natural strength weakens, which is why daily hoof cleaning and regular trimming or shoeing are important.
The frog of the hoof in particular is sensitive to moisture. When the frog is constantly wet and dirt is able to accumulate in the frog grooves, ideal growth conditions are created for bacteria. This significantly increases the risk of thrush.
The first signs of thrush can be an unpleasant smell, a black or dark soft discharge, and crumbling of the frog. The problem is worth treating in good time, because if it advances far it can cause pain and lameness.
The best way to prevent problems is to clean the hooves daily, check the condition of the frogs regularly, and make sure the horse gets to spend part of the day on a dry surface.
Constant moisture puts a strain not only on the hooves. Wet ground and mud can in addition predispose the horse to various skin problems, particularly in the pastern area. Prolonged moisture softens the skin and makes it easier for bacteria to reach the surface layers of the skin.
The right bedding for absorbing moisture
When the horse comes back from a wet pasture into the stable, a dry and clean stall helps the hooves and the skin recover from the moisture.
Bedding that absorbs moisture well reduces the build-up of moisture in the stall and makes the environment more pleasant for both the horse and the people using the stable. At the same time, fewer favourable growth conditions are left for bacteria.
Biohansa's peat-and-shavings bedding combines the excellent moisture-absorbing capacity of peat with the airy structure of wood shavings. Peat effectively binds moisture and ammonia, while the shavings make the bedding soft and well aerated. The end result is a dry and comfortable bed that works particularly well during rainy seasons too.
Many horse owners notice the difference precisely when it has been wet outside for weeks on end. The more moisture the horse brings inside with it, the more important the bedding's moisture-absorbing capacity becomes.
Although continuous rain calls for more attention than usual, it does not mean a failed grazing season.
We cannot change the Finnish summer, but with our own choices we can make even rainy days as comfortable and safe as possible for the horse.
