July 2002

New Theory For Grass-Induced Laminitis

The experiments with fructan show a similarity to grain founder, but do they truly mimic real-life conditions?

The right weather conditions can make grass more ûof a concern than normal.

Theories about why grass causes laminitis in horses range from high protein levels in young grasses to hormonal factors. The latest theory is the high sugar/carbohydrate content in some grass stages.

Growing plants have a higher concentration of soluble carbohydrates. A combination of cold nights and balmy days triggers plants to store more carbohydrates and slows their metabolism overnight so that they don’t use up as much of their stores from the day’s photosynthesis. The carbohydrates in grasses may include starch, sugars and fructans. …