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Print this PageLaminitis - Still a big question?
by Clare Barfoot RNutr SPILLERS® Nutritionist
The cause of laminitis has eluded the best brains in nutritional and veterinary research for many years; yet laminitis is still a condition we all dread. This is why it has been a major area of research for SPILLERS® for many years. In 2002 the WALTHAM® Equine Studies Group (who provide the science behind the SPILLERS brand®) established a Laminitis Research Consortium which has developed into a major international collaborative programme providing exciting new insights into this important condition. Some of the Consortium’s key areas of research are outlined below:
What’s all this about starch, sugar and fructans?
It has long been recognised that laminitis is associated with the over-eating of starch from cereals and sugars and fructans from grass. So you may think it is simple; reduce the cereal and grass in the diet and reduce the risk of laminitis. Sadly it’s not that easy. The starch content in cereals does not vary greatly so it is easier to predict and subsequently diets can be formulated appropriately. The stumbling block comes with forages and pasture. Unfortunately there is no way of knowing the levels of sugars and fructans in pasture at any given time, but the tips below should allow you predict when the levels are likely to be at their lowest:
- Avoid/restrict turning out in spring (before flower development) and autumn when sugar and fructan levels are likely to be highest.
- Turn horses out to pasture late at night until early morning, removing them from pasture by mid-morning at the latest.
- Avoid pastures that have not been properly managed by regular grazing or cutting.
- Restrict grass intake by using a grazing muzzle (that still allows drinking), grazing with sheep, turning out in a sparse paddock or by strip grazing. (Do not strip graze if a large quantity of grass is available). Turning out in an arena or woodchip surfaced area may also be beneficial.
- Do not turn horses out onto pasture that has been exposed to low temperatures in conjunction with bright sunlight eg. sunny frosty mornings.
- Do not allow animals to graze on recently cut stubble such as after hay harvest.
- In known laminitics consider no grazing whilst providing a suitable forage.
- Choose mature forages such as late cut hay that are likely to be lower in sugars and fructans. Alfalfa is also suitable as it is low in fructan but does contain starch so it is advisable to have it analysed before feeding. Good hygienic straw, when appropriate, can also be mixed with hay to reduce its energy density.
- Soak hay overnight in tepid water to reduce the level of sugars.
Insulin resistance - why some horses suffer and others don’t?
Overweight horses and especially ponies are more prone to laminitis; this be may linked in part with increased risk of concussion but is more likely to be associated with insulin resistance.
In humans insulin resistance is a component of several metabolic conditions. It is a risk factor for the development of many diseases including type II diabetes, obesity, coronary heart disease and cancer. In the horse changes in insulin sensitivity are associated with certain diseases, including some forms of tying up, developmental bone problems, hyperlipidemia and laminitis.
Simplistically insulin resistance is the diminished ability of a given concentration of insulin to exert its normal effect. This means the body has to keep releasing more and more to elicit the same effect. This change in metabolism is dangerous and may be one of the most predictable predisposing factors determining whether a horse or pony may go on to develop laminitis at a later date, if encountering a trigger factor such as grass high in sugars and fructans.
Nutrition - still the major factor in the prevention and management of laminitis
- Base your horse’s diet on fibre rather than sugar and starch.
- Make sure you are feeding a balanced diet by adding a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement, a concentrated feed or a suitable fibre-based feed with added vitamins and minerals.
- Restrict meal sizes to 2kg for the average 500kg horse and less for a pony.
- Make all dietary changes slowly and avoid abruptly starving your horse in an attempt to reduce their bodyweight, Maintain regular exercise where possible
- Avoid obesity and aim to maintain a moderate body condition score between 4 and 5 out of 9.
- For dieting animals try feeding initially at 2% of their current bodyweight then reduce to 1.5% if required.
- Analyse your forage and try as a guide to feed forage with less than 10% sugars and fructans added together.
For friendly advice on laminitis care and prevention and/or to have your forage analysed call the SPILLERS® Care-Line on 01908 226626.
Be safe this spring with SPILLERS®
Spring is a danger time for laminitis and it’s important for laminitis-prone horses and ponies to be managed carefully. It is sensible to restrict grazing, ensure regular exercise and provide a high fibre, low starch and sugar, low calorie diet such as SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF® or SPILLERS® High Fibre Cubes. Both carry the Laminitis Trust stamp of approval.
SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF® can be used as a compound feed or fed generously to replace forage. It has low levels of starch and sugar and is proven to produce a low glycaemic response. It contains a palatable blend of dried alfalfa, straw and grass with mint, garlic and soya oil and is formulated with added Biotin, Calcium, Zinc and Copper to support healthy hoof growth. It is also enriched with a high specification of vitamins and minerals, including the key antioxidants vitamin E and Selenium, which may support the lamellae tissue.
SPILLERS® High Fibre Cubes are low in starch and high in fibre, with high levels of vitamins and minerals, making them a safe choice for horses and ponies prone to laminitis, while the low calorie content makes them ideal for native types and good doers. They are also the perfect complete feed for veteran horses and ponies that are unable to manage long fibres as they can be soaked to form an appetising mash.
SPILLERS® are giving you the chance to save £3 on every bag of SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF® or SPILLERS® High Fibre Cubes from 1 April through all Mole Valley Farmers branches. Such great savings will help you to keep your horse and your bank balance in good shape this spring.
For friendly feeding advice on how to keep your horse or pony safe from laminitis please telephone the SPILLERS® Care-Line on 01908 226626 or send an email to careline@spillers-feeds.com. For further information visit the SPILLERS® website at www.spillers-feeds.com.
Find out more about the Spillers range of horse feeds offered by Mole Valley Farmers.
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