high sugar intake and associated hindgut acidosis, mineral imbalance, changing levels of reproductive
NUTRITION
Getting spring ready
hormones and mycotoxin ingestion.
Weight gain & laminitis Most pasture plants produce lush green growth during spring provided there is adequate rainfall. Horses consuming large volumes of these highly palatable
Equine nutritionist LARISSA BILSTON explains what to expect from springtime pastures and offers tips on keeping your horse safe from potential risks.
D
pastures will gain weight and add to their fat stores. If your horse is overweight but not insulin resistant or dangerously obese, you may be able to achieve weight loss without removing them from pasture.
ays are getting longer and
But if your horse is an easy keeper, has
warmer, the soil is moist
a metabolic condition, or is prone to
Obesity increases the likelihood of
and spring grass growth has
laminitis then the next couple of months
developing Equine Metabolic Syndrome
begun. For many, this is good news –
require very careful management to
(EMS), a condition that affects the body’s
plentiful grass means horses won’t need
maintain good health.
ability to use and store blood sugar,
to be fed as much hay, and those who
Spring also brings out bad or overly
often leading to insulin resistance (IR).
had trouble holding weight over winter
exuberant behaviour in some horses,
Note that some horses with Cushings
will flourish.
often caused by excess calorie intake,
also have IR.
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