Managing pasture to reduce laminitis risk

Managing pasture to reduce laminitis risk A new report provides owners with practical information on how to manage their pasture to reduce the risk of laminitis in horses and ponies. The search for improved meat, milk and fibre production has led to the development of grasses containing high levels of non structural carbohydrates (NSC- sugar, starch, and fructan). The non-structural carbohydrate content can increase dramatically if the pasture is exposed to extreme conditions - such as intense sunshine, drought and cold stress.

Such pasture presents a high risk for horses and ponies susceptible to obesity, insulin resistance and laminitis.

But with good pasture management, these conditions can be minimised.

The report, entitled "Equine Laminitis - Managing pasture to reduce the risk", is written by US -based agronomist Kathryn Watts and Professor Chris Pollitt, Director of the Equine Laminitis Research Unit at the University of Queensland, and is published by Australia's Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).

It outlines how horse owners can reduce the level and concentration of sugar, starch and fructan in their pastures. High levels of these carbohydrates can cause laminitis in horses and ponies.

According to Professor Pollitt, the report represents an important step forward in the understanding of pasture associated laminitis.

"While there are still significant gaps in our knowledge about laminitis, a source of great frustration to horse owners and veterinarians alike, we do know that what the horse or pony has eaten over the last few days, weeks or months may trigger laminitis," Professor Pollitt said.

"Pasture management techniques such as timely slashing, proper fertilising and avoiding species that are high in sugar, starch and fructan can go a long way to reducing the risk of horses developing laminitis."

Tony Burne, Acting Managing Director of the RIRDC commented that "some pasture management practices that minimise pasture NSC also happen to be important features of environmentally friendly, sustainable land stewardship."

For example planting trees to provide wooded grazing areas, will limit the exposure of the grass to sunlight, leading to lower NSC content of the pasture.  Such a strategy will also help to reduce erosion and improve the water balance.

The report was written "for those owners who are prepared to make a serious effort to learn how to grow the "best pasture and seek the "best" feed to prevent and manage laminitis."

It was launched in June at the Australian Equine Science Symposium, and is the latest in a series of RIRDC reports focussing on improving horse health.

Equine Laminitis - Managing pasture to reduce the risk is available at www.rirdc.gov.au

It can be purchased in hard-copy or downloaded (free) in PDF format.

Reproduced with kind permission of Mark Andrews BVM&S CertEP MRCVS
© Copyright Equine Science Update  2010 

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