Description

Rich grass such as green, growing grass can cause a rush of sugars undigested to flow into the hind gut (colon) of the horse. As the microbes in the hind gut are highly specialized to break down only fibre, this rush of sugars kills off the healthy bacteria. As they start to die they become toxic, the horse then absorbs into the blood stream. This chain reaction of events causes a digestive upset such as a grumpy gut, to more extreme cases colic, laminitis, acidosis and hind gut ulceration.

It is therefore important to maintain a healthy hind gut pH. Equi-shure helps by keeping the hind gut environment neutral and therefore the bacteria happy!

TIPS for safe grazing to avoid laminitis, colic and obesity this season        

Spring grass – the sugar problem                      

With spring rapidly approaching there is also rapid changes happening in your grass.

Warm temperatures with excess ground moisture create the perfect conditions for grass.  This perfect combination causes grass to grow rapidly.

Grass in rapid growth mode is nutrient dense and packed full of sugars and grass proteins.

These sugars cause rapid weight gain and is a danger for susceptible ponies and also may cause a digestive upset or colic in any horse.

These sugars also cause unwanted fizzy behaviour including bucking and general silliness, making riding and handling unpleasant.

We recommend using Mag-Eze and Digest-Easi PLUS and Equi-Shure for supplementary care as well as balancing grass with daily management. When rapidly growing think of reducing access by strip grazing or removing from pasture for susceptible animals to reduce sugars whilst increasing hay for fibre to feel full and balance the gut.

Key tip - to reduce sugar levels, the ONLY way is to reduce intake or increase exercise.

Tips for success with the laminitis prone pony

Feed only small amounts of fresh, rapidly growing grass to the laminitis or obese prone following these tips:

• Provide grass in the morning (when sugars are at their lowest) not late in the day
• Always ensure access to hay daily – this helps keeps the horse full and buffers the gut
• Manage grass by strip grazing or removing from pasture for susceptible animals
• Watch daily for weather conditions – sunny days are the highest for sugar- if worried offer hay in place of grass
• Remember grass is growing daily in your horse's paddock
• Observe closely and daily for changes in your horse
• Be quick to act and remedy changes in your horse

Grazing your pony safely - changes to look for       

Each spring season there are numerous cases of obesity, laminitis, colic, digestive upsets, runny manure to fizzy horses bucking off riders!

The key is to manage your horse and be watchful for any new change in your horse. Then be prepared to act swiftly.

Signs to watch for:

• Sudden increase in weight
• Fatty deposits over body such as crests, buttocks, tail head
• Hard crest fat and bounding digital pulse (these are a warning that laminitis is imminent)
• Horse not eating, off feed or overeating (may result in a digestive upset or colic)