Pasture Sugars, Laminitis Risk, and Safe Grazing Practices

Spring pasture can be a wonderful thing for horses, but for some, especially those with metabolic concerns, insulin dysregulation, or a history of laminitis, lush grass can create real risks.

Pasture is not automatically bad for every horse. Many horses do well with turnout and benefit from fresh forage, movement, social interaction, and time outside. However, horses with equine metabolic syndrome, insulin dysregulation, or a history of laminitis may need closer management.

A helpful article from The Horse explains how pasture sugars change throughout the day, why some grasses may be higher risk, and how grazing plans may need to be adjusted for certain horses.

One important takeaway is that pasture sugar levels are not the same all day. Sugars are often lowest just before sunrise and may peak later in the day after photosynthesis. Season, weather, grass type, plant stress, and pasture conditions can all play a role.

Horse owners should also remember that grass type alone does not guarantee a safe pasture. Cool-season grasses, plant stress, cold snaps, drought conditions, and lush spring or fall growth can all affect sugar levels.

For horses at higher risk, management may include:

• Limited turnout

• Grazing during safer times of day

• Use of a grazing muzzle

• Dry lot turnout

• Hay testing

• Body condition monitoring

• Veterinary guidance for metabolic concerns

• Adjusting turnout during spring and fall

Hay testing is often more reliable than trying to guess pasture sugar levels, because pasture sugars can change quickly throughout the day and from one day to the next.

Every horse is different, so pasture access should be based on the individual horse’s health, body condition, workload, and risk factors.

Read the full article from The Horse here:https://thehorse.com/1130158/plant-structure-pasture-sugars-and-safer-grazing-practices/

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