My horse is already getting fat from a single blade of grass! How is that possible? The advice and information platform for all horse and dog enthusiasts.

The answer is not so much in the grass itself, but in your horse. Many horses consume too many sugars, for example in the form of concentrate or rich hay. Due to the dry summers of the past year, the hay is much higher in sugars than usual. Concentrate feed often contains a lot of sugar and starch, which are easily absorbed and lead to a higher blood sugar level.

Not designed for fast sugars

In the wild, horses eat a lot more cellulose from coarse plant stems. This cellulose is converted by the microorganisms in their digestive system into fatty acids, which horses use to derive energy. Horses are actually not designed to thrive on easily digestible starch and sugars. If a horse consumes a lot of these types of carbohydrates, their metabolism can become so accustomed to it that it develops a sort of 'addiction' to glucose. The body starts producing glucose, even when there is little or none in the diet. Mammals (including humans) can produce sugars from fats, proteins, and even muscle tissue. This process is called gluconeogenesis.

Gaining weight while eating less

Many horses, as well as people, can continue to gain weight thanks to gluconeogenesis, even if they are eating less. This is due to the disrupted metabolism. If gluconeogenesis is not inhibited, the blood sugar level remains high. Additionally, the horse continues to have an appetite, as the hormones that regulate appetite are also disrupted by the high blood sugar levels.

Differences between breeds

When it comes to metabolism issues in horses, genetics are definitely a factor. Many cold-blooded breeds convert an excess of glucose in their blood into fat tissue. These animals can become very overweight from just a few blades of grass and often suffer from other symptoms of disrupted sugar metabolism such as a cresty neck, sweet itch, or laminitis.

The more moderate breeds are very efficient in their digestion and extract every bit of nutrient from their diet, which is why they gain weight so easily.

Avoid feeding grains

Grains, often hidden in concentrate feeds, exacerbate the disruption. This is partly due to the phytic acid in grains making it more difficult for your horse's body to absorb minerals. It also has to do with proprionate, which is often used to prevent mold and bacterial growth in grains. Research has shown that this compound disrupts the blood sugar levels of horses and other animals. These animals exhibit slow but steady weight gain, leading to disrupted blood sugar regulation and eventually to insulin resistance.

Restoring balance

How do you get a horse that becomes overweight from grazing a little grass back into balance? You need to address the disruption of its metabolism and hormonal balance. Firstly, provide your horse with the right nutrition. This includes roughage with lots of cellulose (low in sugar) and no concentrate feed with starch and fast sugars. In addition, provide easily absorbable vitamins and minerals, with vitamins A, D, E, and zinc being the most important. Consider using a balancer with highly concentrated vitamins and minerals. Moreover, the body needs healthy fatty acids EPA and DHA, preferably from a direct source such as salmon oil.

To further improve the body's balance (homeostasis), you can add plant-based cannabinoids from cloves to the diet. These substances restore balance at the cellular level, improve resistance, and reduce overreactions. Don't forget to make sure your horse gets enough exercise. Prolonged exercise is healthy, but for a horse with disrupted sugar metabolism, it should not be too intense. Opt for long bouts of mild exercise or prolonged movement at a low intensity. Additionally, provide your horse with plenty of free movement.

Conclusion: Restoring balance in an overweight horse

When your horse seems to be getting fat from a single blade of grass, its body is out of balance. Proteins are converted into glucose, the horse is prone to insulin resistance, and its hormonal balance is disturbed. All of this can be rectified with the right nutrition, exercise, and stable management. It may take some time, but it is ultimately much healthier and more pleasant for your horse. So don't expect this to be resolved in a few weeks!

Tips:

Provide your horse with good quality roughage, but not too rich
Watch the fructan index and let your horse on the grass when the fructan content is low
Use a (grain-free) balancer (e.g. Vitalbix, Metazoa, Equilin, Equifyt) with easily absorbable minerals and vitamins
Optionally, provide some extra antioxidants and natural vitamin E
Ensure direct intake of EPA and DHA (omega-3) in the diet, salmon oil is a good source
Supplement with plant-based cannabinoids for cellular balance
Offer a mineral buffet in the paddock. For instance, liquid minerals from the sea in a separate water tub
Alternatively, create a separate water tub with liquid nettle for its cleansing effect. You'll notice that horses stop drinking from it after 10 to 14 days once they've had enough
Provide enough low-intensity physical activity. Horses in nature move a lot, but slowly. One hour of training does not compare. In a pasture/paddock, they are standing still to eat. Walk your horse a lot and ensure it can move freely in a paddock/pasture.
Offer roughage in slow feeders at different locations in the paddock/pasture.