Is Straw Good For Horses With Laminitis?

Another benefit of a horse eating straw is that it can also be part of the bucket feed and at Dengie we use straw as a key ingredient in our Hi-Fi range to provide a lower calorie ration helping to promote weight loss and reduce the risk of issues such as laminitis.

What is the best thing to give a horse with laminitis?

For a laminitic prone horse/pony, low sugar roughage sources may include Teff hay, Rhodes grass hay, lucerne hay, beet pulp or soaked grass hay. Some specialist feed suppliers have analysis available. Look for less than 10-12% NSC.

Does straw contain sugar?

Straw isn’t necessarily safe from a sugar and starch standpoint either. Sugar as high as 6.2% has been reported and starch up to 4.3%. Straws with a large amount of grain left in the seed heads will be even higher. There are significant differences in the fiber fractions and not in a good way.

Is it OK to feed horses straw?

“Yes, horses can eat straw,” said equine nutritionist, Shannon Pratt-Phillips, PhD. “But, because it isn’t terribly digestible, its nutritional value is very low (low energy per unit weight, low protein, low minerals, etc.), so it shouldn’t replace hay.”

What do you feed a laminitic prone horse?

Hay is likely to form the bulk of the diet for an EMS/PPID/laminitic horse. Late cut, native species grass hay is likely to have lower sugar levels than early cut improved species (e.g. ryegrass) grass hay. High fibre haylage may also be suitable.

What can you not feed a horse with laminitis?

Avoid feeds which provide high levels of starch per meal as these horses tend to be sensitive to increases in blood sugar and insulin. Supplements: Horses with laminitis may benefit from supplemental magnesium and chromium, both of which assist in sensitivity to insulin.

What months are worse for laminitis?

Spring is traditionally known as a peak time for laminitis, but the latest research shows that the second biggest killer of horses and ponies is an all-year-round threat.

Can straw cause laminitis?

One concern of feeding straw is that it might lead to digestive problems such as impaction. However, in this study, there were no reports of colic in either group. Neither were there any reports of laminitis.

What happens if horses eat straw?

Lignin fiber is completely non-digestible in the digestive system of horses. If horses eat a large volume of straw, this lignin fiber accumulates in the digestive system and it can plug (impact) the digestive system. This results in severe colic and even death if not properly treated.

How much straw can a horse safely eat?

Feed barley or oat straw, ideally not sprayed with chemicals and of good hygienic quality. Feed no more than 50% of the total forage amount as straw. NB Pat Harris suggests feeding no more than 25% of the total forage amount as straw.

Is straw or hay better for horses?

Because it may provide a significant level of calories while presenting a hazard for choke or impaction, straw isn’t a great forage choice for most horses. It’s probably safer to find and feed a low-carbohydrate hay, soaking it before feeding to remove some water-soluble carbohydrates.

Is straw or hay better?

This material is used more for animal bedding as it has little nutritional value left. But, it’s also a great option for gardens. When deciding on hay vs straw, straw is the better option for the veggie garden. Hay bales often contain weed seeds and you don’t want to make more work for yourself!

What type of straw is best for horses?

Wheat straw is the most common type used. It makes a warm, comfortable bed that is easy to handle as well as allowing free drainage. Wheat straw is usually readily available although it does tend to be the dustiest straw. Barley straw is often the least expensive but is not always the most suitable for horses.

Can too much hay cause laminitis?

What causes laminitis continues to be an area of huge research. It has become evident in recent years that although the over consumption of grass or feed high in starch or sugar is still commonly associated with horses developing laminitis, up to 90% of cases have an underlying hormonal cause.

What is the best diet for a laminitis?

Getting the right feed for a laminitic is important for any owner of a horse or pony with laminitis. A high fibre, low starch and low sugar diet is essential for laminitics, so avoid feeds that contain cereals or molasses.

Can a horse with laminitis eat hay?

Hay – The Core Feed For A Laminitis Diet
The basis of any diet for a horse or pony prone to laminitis or suffering acute laminitis is hay. The best choice of forage is one that is low in sugar, starch, and fructans (non-structural carbohydrates or NSC).

Are carrots good for horses with laminitis?

We regard the feeding of high-sugar feed items such as carrots (and sugar lumps) as unnecessary and poor discipline for those governing the diet of laminitis-prone horses.

How long should hay be soaked for laminitis?

Soaking hay for 12 – 16 hours in cold weather and no more than 3 – 6 hours in warm weather can help to reduce WSC content by up to 50% in some cases.

Can laminitis get better on its own?

Laminitis is a crippling condition which can be fatal in severe cases. Once a horse has had an episode of laminitis, they are particularly susceptible to future episodes. Laminitis can be managed but not cured which is why prevention is so important.

Should I walk my horse with laminitis?

Active laminitis – no movement
Movement increases pressure on these damaged structures. During this time horses should be confined to prevent movement as much as possible, encouraged to lie down, with food and water close by and ideally above the ground to reduce pressure on the front feet.

Can a laminitic horse ever have grass again?

A return to some access to grass will often be possible following laminitis or for a horse with EMS/ID, as long as something – whatever caused the laminitis – has changed.