12/08/2026
🐴 Is your normally calm horse suddenly tense, spooky or “hot”?
Could 'stressed grass' be part of the picture? 🌱☀️
With the lack of rain and hot, sunny weather, many paddocks are looking pretty bare right now.
And it’s easy to think that short, dry-looking grass must be low in sugar…
But it’s not always that simple.
🌱 STRESSED GRASS & SUGAR
When grass is under environmental stress, its sugar levels can become more concentrated, particularly when there is plenty of sunshine but not enough moisture for normal growth.
And those short stems your horse is nibbling right down at ground level can be particularly tempting.
For some horses, especially those who are already sensitive to dietary sugars, this can contribute to digestive upset and changes in behaviour.
⚡ SO WHY MIGHT YOUR HORSE FEEL “HOTTER”?
The gut and the brain are closely connected.
Changes in the hindgut can lead to fermentation, gas and discomfort — and a horse who is uncomfortable may become:
😣 More irritable
👀 More reactive or spooky
🐴 Tense through their body
🎠 More difficult under saddle
🫣 Generally “not quite themselves”
It’s very easy to assume they’re being naughty or lacking focus…
When actually, they may simply be telling us that something doesn’t feel right.
🌾 SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Rather than allowing your horse to spend hours picking at a bare paddock, consider:
✅ Providing plenty of good-quality forage
✅ Choosing mature, lower-sugar hay where appropriate
✅ Keeping forage available so they aren't standing for long periods with nothing to eat
✅ Being mindful of grazing times and conditions
✅ Supporting healthy digestive function where needed
💚 Our horses are constantly communicating with us.
A sudden change in behaviour isn't always a training problem.
Sometimes the first question we should be asking is:
“Could my horse be uncomfortable?”
Have you noticed your horse becoming a little more reactive, tense or “sharp” since the weather turned so dry?🐴 Is your normally calm horse suddenly tense, spooky or “hot”?
Could 'stressed grass' be part of the picture? 🌱☀️
With the lack of rain and hot, sunny weather, many paddocks are looking pretty bare right now.
And it’s easy to think that short, dry-looking grass must be low in sugar…
But it’s not always that simple.
🌱 STRESSED GRASS & SUGAR
When grass is under environmental stress, its sugar levels can become more concentrated, particularly when there is plenty of sunshine but not enough moisture for normal growth.
And those short stems your horse is nibbling right down at ground level can be particularly tempting.
For some horses, especially those who are already sensitive to dietary sugars, this can contribute to digestive upset and changes in behaviour.
⚡ SO WHY MIGHT YOUR HORSE FEEL “HOTTER”?
The gut and the brain are closely connected.
Changes in the hindgut can lead to fermentation, gas and discomfort — and a horse who is uncomfortable may become:
😣 More irritable
👀 More reactive or spooky
🐴 Tense through their body
🎠 More difficult under saddle
🫣 Generally “not quite themselves”
It’s very easy to assume they’re being naughty or lacking focus…
When actually, they may simply be telling us that something doesn’t feel right.
🌾 SO WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Rather than allowing your horse to spend hours picking at a bare paddock, consider:
✅ Providing plenty of good-quality forage
✅ Choosing mature, lower-sugar hay where appropriate
✅ Keeping forage available so they aren't standing for long periods with nothing to eat
✅ Being mindful of grazing times and conditions
✅ Supporting healthy digestive function where needed
💚 Our horses are constantly communicating with us.
A sudden change in behaviour isn't always a training problem.
Sometimes the first question we should be asking is:
“Could my horse be uncomfortable?”
Have you noticed your horse becoming a little more reactive, tense or “sharp” since the weather turned so dry?
