Spring forward!

Longer days, spring grass, and seasonal shifts

What a fabulous weekend we've just had to kickstart March! And with nearly two extra hours of daylight to come between March 1st and 31st, all the signs are there that the sun is getting stronger, the days are getting longer, and everything is starting to shift in the horse world from winter to spring!

So what to do? March is when we need to start thinking ahead - the grass is gearing up for its spring growth surge, respiratory spring pollen allergies are kicking in, and those pesky midges can make an early appearance, ready to trigger sweet itch flare-ups. Plus, it’s also time for a spring detox and spring worming to clear out winter residue.

March is also prime time for Cushing’s concerns - as the winter coat sheds, more horses are being tested for elevated ACTH levels. But does a higher-than-normal ACTH always mean a pituitary tumour? We’ve got the lowdown on Cushing’s to help make sense of it all.

Spring Allergies | Spring Detox | Cushing'sTesting | Spring Worming | Mineral Balancing

Here’s to the new season of spring vibes and brighter days! 

Any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with our expert team - we're always here to help!

It's tree-pollen allergy time

For those affected horses, the next few months can be a nightmare - we speak from experience! Now’s the time to build your horse's histamine resilience, and we've a few top tips to help your horse get through the season more comfortably.

Ultimately, seasonal allergies stem from an overactive immune response to environmental triggers, where autoimmunity drives the mast cells into overdrive, releasing excessive histamine when spring pollen levels spike.

This autoimmune syndrome is directly connected to KPU, a multi-metabolic gut:liver detoxification disorder. Of course the KPU itself needs addressing, but it doesn't happen overnight, which means you'll likely need symptom support to see your horse through the season.

Try to avoid steroid inhalers and conventional allergy medications, as while they may suppress symptoms temporarily, they come at a cost - weakening the immune system.

Top Tips

• Avoid junk feeds with bulk fillers - they only damage the gut biome more. Keep it natural with pure grass-forage fibre feeds, i.e. a meadow cob or chaff.
• We know it's tempting to feed haylage but this only  worsens the KPU due to the presence of lactic-acid bacteria. Quality meadow hay is best - try hosing it through to clear any dust residue.
• Natural phytonutrients can open the airways, provide gentle antihistamine and anti-allergenic support, and soothe irritated sinuses and airways with mucilage-rich herbs - all without side effects

Recommended Support

🌿 PollenTonic – For natural antihistamine and immune support.

🌿 KoffTonic – To soothe the airways and ease respiratory irritation.

🌿 Spirulina   – Known to support allergies.

Spring detox - a metabolic reset for your horse

Modern life exposes our horses to more toxins than ever before - from chemical-laden pastures and processed feeds, to the lingering effects of winter stressors. Meanwhile, our horse's metabolism - the powerhouse behind digestion, detoxification, and overall function - works tirelessly to maintain balance. But when the system becomes overloaded, the body struggles to eliminate waste efficiently, leading to metabolic imbalances that can manifest as skin issues, digestive distress, immune weakness, or musculoskeletal discomfort. Recognising these early red flags is key to preventing long-term health challenges.

This is where a spring detox comes in. Our OptimaCARE  3-stage detox programme is formulated to reset the body from the gut upwards, supporting the liver, kidneys, and circulatory systems over 30 days. By clearing metabolic roadblocks, eliminating toxins, and replenishing nutrients, your horse can regain optimal vitality and resilience. Pair this with hindgut support (Spirulina), coat change assistance (MSM), and a balanced mineral intake to fortify their system for the season ahead.

Important: Don't detox horses during the onset of laminitis, as this can lead to re-toxification risks.

Recommended support

🌿 OptimaCARE – A 1-month, 3-stage full-body detox reset programme.
🌿 Spirulina  – A great gut deacidifier and mycotoxin binder.

Cushing's testing - is it always a diagnosis?

Cushing’s (PPID) diagnoses have skyrocketed in recent years, with many horses - some as young as two years old - being placed on lifelong medication based solely on ACTH test results. But does an elevated ACTH level always mean a pituitary tumour?

Research suggests otherwise. ACTH fluctuates naturally throughout the day and can spike due to stress, seasonal changes, or even minor discomfort. In human medicine, ACTH is just one of five diagnostic markers for Cushing’s, yet in horses, it remains the sole deciding factor. Studies have shown that many horses who test positive in autumn test negative again in spring - without any treatment.

Instead of jumping straight to Prascend and risking side effects, many horse owners are exploring natural approaches to balance dopamine levels, support adrenal health, and manage metabolic function.

The EquiNatural approach prioritises hormonal stability to help keep horses comfortable without unnecessary pharmaceutical intervention. Read more about Cushings and ACTH testing in our Cushing's page (Advice Centre above).

Recommended support

🌿 CushTonic - natural endocrine support for Cushing's/PPID symptoms. Two solutions for whether your horse is on, or not taking, Prascend.

🌿 Tyrosine   - natural amino-acid support to enhance dopamine production.

Spring worming

Parasites are an unavoidable part of equine life, with dozens of worm species cycling through grazing, the gut, and droppings. But while chemical worming remains the conventional approach, concerns about drug resistance, gut health, and potential side effects have led many owners to reconsider their worming strategies.

Overuse of chemical wormers has contributed to worm resistance, while some horses experience colic, digestive upset, and liver strain following routine worming. If you choose chemical worming, supporting the liver before and after treatment can help the body metabolise the chemicals safely.

For those exploring natural worming, certain herbs - such as pumpkin seed, thyme, turmeric, and artemisia - have well-documented anthelmintic properties to help control worm burdens naturally. The key is a strategic approach, including regular worm counts, pasture management, and herbal support to disrupt the parasite lifecycle while minimising resistance risks. Whether using a chemical or natural worming programme, the goal is the same - keeping your horse healthy while reducing unnecessary chemical exposure.

Need more info?

See our Verm Blog for a deep dive into all things verms.

Recommended Support

🌿 VermClear – Supports parasite clearance naturally

🌿 Pumpkin Seeds – Effective tapeworm expeller

🌿 LiverCARE – Beneficial liver support

🌿 BiomeTonic – Helps inhibit harmful bacteria, parasites, and intestinal toxins

Mineral balancing

The Spring grass will be here any day now, but for now our UK forage still remains low in Omega-3, which is why VitaComplete is still our go-to balancer,  compensating for this seasonal gap while we wait for spring to arrive.

Why Omega-3 Matters

Fresh, growing grass naturally provides an ideal 4:1 Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratio, with around 75% Omega-3 content (ALA – alpha-linolenic acid). But once grass is cut, dried, and baled, those fragile Omega-3 fatty acids are lost - which means horses on hay-based diets need supplementation.

The good news? Micronised linseed mirrors fresh grass’s Omega-3 profile, making it an essential addition to winter diets. A study in Equine Science found that 100g/day of micronised linseed provides the same Omega-3 intake as pasture for a 500kg horse - or 20g per 100kg bodyweight. (Detailed in full in our Linseed page).

Choosing the right balancer

• VitaComplete – Ideal for winter or full hay diets, delivering the exact RDA of Omega-3 from micronised linseed, plus certified organic, unrefined salt for a 3-in-1 balanced solution.
• EquiVita – A great choice for all-round maintenance when fresh grazing is available. If your horse is part-hay, part-grass, simply adjust linseed intake to match hay volume vs. turnout time.

Need more info?

See our Mineral Solutions page .

Recommended Support

🌿 Micronised Linseed, a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.