Grass is the most natural feed horses can be given, but but predicting calorie and sugar intake from grazing is notoriously challenging — and getting it wrong can have weighty health implications, as Spillers’ nutritionist Sarah Nelson explains
Given the opportunity, some equines will over-indulge on grass whatever the time of year
Fit not Fat
GRASS PRESENTS TWO hidden dangers for good doers —calories and sugar.
Although excess calories lead to weight gain, a high intake of water-soluble carbohydrate or ‘sugar’ from grazing increases the risk of insulin dysregulation and laminitis, especially for good doers and natives.
How much grass do horses eat?
The amount of grass horses eat varies considerably. Studies report total dry matter (DM) intakes of 1.5-5.2% of bodyweight per day. Although individual requirements vary, a total daily forage intake of 1.5% bodyweight DM for weight loss and 2% bodyweight DM for maintenance is often used as a guide.
Counting those calories
Calorie intake from pasture will depend on the calorie of the grass and how much of it is eaten. While it is no surprise that spring grass can contain the same amount of energy (calories) as a racing or conditioning feed, don’t assume that winter grazing is calorie-free. Well-managed winter pasture may still provide the same amount of calories as competition feed if the weather is mild. On the other hand, mature, brown grass may contain a similar level of calories to hay (or less), but it can easily exceed a horse’s requirements if there is enough of it available.
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MEET THE EXPERT
Spillers’ nutritionist SARAH NELSON is responsible for the technical management of all Spillers’ products, including feed formulation. Sarah has been a part of the Spillers’ team since 2009, and she has advised horse owners, riders and vets on all aspects of practical nutrition. Her current role involves translating key scientific messages into practical advice for owners, as well as providing nutritional consultations for clinical cases. Visit spillers-feeds.com
DID YOU KNOW?
A 250kg pony living out 24/7 may consume enough energy (calories) to fuel a 500kg racehorse.
DID YOU KNOW?
In one study, ponies turned out for 23 hours per day for six weeks gained 16% of their bodyweight. That is the equivalent to an 11st human gaining almost 2st.
DID YOU KNOW?
Most of the simple sugar in grass is sucrose — the same sugar that goes in tea, and the main form of sugar in molasses.
Sugar content
The different terms used to describe sugar often cause confusion.
■ Grass includes ‘s
