● A 250kg pony eating around 6kg of meadow hay will receive around 360gm of Starch & Sugar (S+S)
● This can give elevated blood glucose levels, resulting in excess insulin which can cause laminitis.
● Undigested S+S reaching the hindgut can be fermented to lactic acid, allowing undesirable microbes to proliferate & produce toxins which can can also cause laminitis, as well as loose droppings.
● S+S intake can be reduced by soaking hay. This also removes useful nutrients, thus requiring feeding of a mineral & vitamin supplement.
● Hay intake can be reduced by providing clean oat straw, especially if obesity is a problem.
● Hard feed should contain as little S+S as possible, & will not be required if the condition is good & the horse or pony is resting.
● Supplements & balancers should contain live yeast & oligosaccharides to promore a healthy gut microflora.
● Suitable Horseheath products with low S&S, containing yeast are AntiLam™, LamVit™, Lam-E Balancer™, and LinGold™ Mobility. Hors-E-Vite™ and LinGold™ Condition are also low in S+S but have no yeast.
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