Horses love to eat, hence the phrase “eat like a horse.” They’ll graze on pasture for hours on end, but there are certain times during the year when too much pasture can have a negative effect on your horse’s body.

A concern for horses and ponies grazing lush pastures is the risk of founder or laminitis from excessive consumption of soluble carbohydrates (starch and sugar) found in the pasture. Laminitis is inflammation of the hoof’s laminae, which can result in temporary to permanent lameness.

Too Much Sugar

Like humans, horses can develop health problems when they consume too much sugar.

“Over-consumption of pasture is (a) frequent cause of laminitis due to a horse’s excessive intake of soluble carbohydrates or sugars present in grass,” said Marty Adams, PhD, PAS, equine nutritionist for Southern States Cooperative

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