![]() ![]() We also need to take into consideration what stage of their life they're at (e.g. How much horses/ponies are fed should be based on the weight of the animal and we should feed 2.5% to 3% of their body weight per day. Research has shown that wearing a grazing muzzle can reduce intake by between 30% and 83%. They come in a variety of shapes and designs and are ultimately designed to limit – but not prevent – your horse/pony's grass or forage intake. Grazing muzzles can be a great management tool. If consumed suddenly or in large quantities these NSCs can cause mayhem with the horse/ponies digestive system and lead to severe health concerns (as well as weight gain), therefore, it’s vital to manage grass intake. When sugars are in excess of the plant or grass' energy needs for growing, they are converted and stored as “carbohydrates”. The science bit, short and sweet I promise – what’s the issue with carbohydrates? Non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are found in pasture grass and split into 3 categories: sugar (glucose, fructose and sucrose), starches and fructans. Another factor to consider is that, when the temperature falls below 5☌ overnight, the carbohydrate levels in the grass increase once again, which can be dangerous for your horse if consumed. ![]() Warm autumn days with cool nights create the ideal conditions for the grass to start growing again. They aren’t just for spring and summer when the grass is growing and lush, they can also be just as important in autumn. Grazing muzzles can help in preventing weight gain and managing your horse's weight. What’s equally alarming is the percentage of owners/caregivers that don’t realise their equine is overweight. Equine obesity is a huge issue in the UK and this increases the risk of laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance (think horse diabetes), arthritis and soft tissue injuries. ![]()
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