Grass is the most delicious thing for most horses. 'Nibble-step' all day through the pasture; there is no greater pleasure for them. However, it is not always healthy. This is due to the way in which sugars from grass are processed in the horse's body.

Sugar metabolism: fast and complex carbohydrates

During the grazing season, grass is the main source of carbohydrates for many horses. Carbohydrates can be divided into complex carbohydrates and water-soluble carbohydrates. The latter are the 'fast sugars' and starch, which can also be found in concentrate feed, for example. These water-soluble carbohydrates are broken down by enzymes in the stomach and small intestine, providing a lot of energy directly. If the breakdown of soluble carbohydrates does not happen fully in the first part of the digestive tract, sugar and starch end up in the large intestine. There, these substances can disturb the intestinal flora and cause gas colic. Since a horse has a limited capacity to digest fast sugars in the stomach and small intestine, the diet (and therefore the grass) should not contain too many water-soluble carbohydrates. If a lot of sugar suddenly enters your horse's blood, it can cause laminitis.

'Hindgut fermenting'

As grass gets older, becomes longer, and blooms, it contains more fibers. Fibers consist of complex carbohydrates such as cellulose. The horse cannot digest such carbohydrates on its own; it needs the microorganisms in its large intestine. These bacteria and fungi convert the cellulose fibers into volatile fatty acids. The horse can then absorb these fatty acids and convert them into energy. If there are not enough fibers in a horse's diet, the digestion cannot function properly. The large intestine is then not sufficiently active, which can lead to various digestion problems and diseases in the horse. A horse has a rather unique digestive system. In English, it is called 'hindgut fermenting,' meaning that the most important part of food processing takes place through fermentation in the rear part of the digestive system. To keep a horse healthy, you must take that unique digestive system into account.

New insights into laminitis

In the past, laminitis was often seen as a separate condition, but there appear to be different forms of this disease. All these forms are actually systemic diseases involving the horse's entire body. So, it is certainly not just a problem in the hooves! Causes of laminitis can be: endocrine diseases (hormone-related), sepsis, a generalized inflammatory reaction (Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)), or unilateral loading on one leg (for example, due to a cast after a fracture). Moreover, laminitis resulting from an endocrine (hormonal) problem is the most common. The traditional view that laminitis mainly occurs when the lamellae of the hoof detach is not entirely correct either. It seems that there is a rather variable, poorly visible pre-phase. Changes in the structure of the dermis are already present. Research shows that it starts with microscopic changes. Certain lamellae are stretched, and the structure of the dermis changes. This then leads to inflammation in the cells.

The relationship between sugars and laminitis

The endocrine problems that can cause laminitis are related to the horse's sugar metabolism. If there are sugars in a horse's blood, the hormone insulin is released to process these sugars. The more 'fast sugars' in the blood, the more insulin is produced. The tiny capillaries in the dermis of the horse's hoof are very sensitive to this insulin and will contract when there is a high level of insulin in the blood. This reduces the blood flow in the hoof. This hinders the healthy growth of the dermis, and inflammation and laminitis are then likely to occur. This connection with insulin is also why horses with IR (Insulin Resistance), PPID (Cushing's disease), and EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) are at higher risk of laminitis. Their insulin levels are often disrupted. Even with a mild disruption of the insulin level, sensitivity in the hooves can probably occur.

Sugar in grass: significant differences

To prevent your horse from getting laminitis, it is wise not to feed too many sugars, especially if your horse is already a bit overweight or has IR, PPID, or EMS. Cold-blooded horses are also often extra sensitive. Grass can contain a lot of sugar, but it does not have to. This depends on factors such as the time of year, the weather, the length of the grass, and the type of grass with which the pasture is seeded. The highest sugar levels are found in high-productivity 'cow grass' like English Ryegrass. Overgrown, bloomed, fiber-rich 'horse grass' - available in special seed mixtures - contains much fewer sugars. However, you must still pay attention. Hay also contains sugar, so consider your horse's total diet. You can have both grass and hay tested by specialized companies. This way, you can better control the situation. Keep in mind that horses that have only a few hours of grazing a day often eat much faster and can still ingest quite a lot of sugar!

Consumed too many sugars?

If your horse has consumed too many sugars and you want to support it in regulating its insulin levels and preventing inflammation, you can, for example, do a mild detox with nettle extract. This helps to eliminate waste products more quickly. In addition, cannabinoids can support the balance in the horse's body. These plant-based substances also work as pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.

Sources

Asplin KE, Patterson-Kane JC, Sillence MN, Pollitt CC, Mc Gowan CM. Histopathology of insulin-induced laminitis in ponies. Equine Vet J. 2010 Nov;42(8):700-6. doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00111.x. PMID: 21039799.

Patterson-Kane JC, Karikoski NP, McGowan CM. Paradigm shifts in understanding equine laminitis. Vet J. 2018 Jan;231:33-40. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.11.011. Epub 2017 Nov 22. PMID: 29429485.

Due to regulations, we are unfortunately not allowed to specify exactly which products are suitable. Nor is it allowed to include a link to the product. This information can only be provided in a personal conversation. Are you interested? Please contact us via info@heltieanimal.com or 0522-470017.