Ask the Nutritionist: Dr. Getty's Forum for Equine Nutrition
Welcome to my forum.
Here you will find more than 6 years of questions and my answers. It is searchable and offers a great deal of information.
Currently, I am discontinuing new questions. This may change in the future, but in the meantime, please know that It has been a true pleasure serving you.
Take a look at my Nutrition Library and Tips of the Month for a variety of answers on selected topics. Be sure to sign up for my monthly e-newsletter, Forage for Thought.
I also have a growing number of recordings on "Teleseminars on Nutrition Topics that Concern You" as well as the new, Spotlight on Equine Nutrition Series -- printed versions of favorite teleseminars.
And finally, look for my articles in a variety of local publications and online newsletters, as well as the Horse Journal, where I am the Contributing Nutrition Editor.
All the best,
Dr. Getty
Hi Diane,
Mowing can cause stress to the grass, so letting horses graze on freshly mowed grass increases their sugar content. So wait a couple of days. But, the most significant contributors toward sugar levels are time of day and night time temperatures. Grass exposed to sunlight has the most sugar late in the afternoon and the least amount in the early morning. If the thermometer dips below 40 degrees at night, followed by a sunny day, the grass will hold on to sugar.
Yes, I know it's confusing. So, if you're going to allow some grazing, do so early in the morning, before 10 am, for example, and wait until the weather warms up enough so it isn't too cold at night.
All the best,
Dr. Getty 
Where are you from? Bayfield, CO