Hoof Nutrition Intelligence Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is a twice-a-month web segment that is designed to add to the education of footcare professionals when it comes to effectively feeding the hoof. The goal of this web-exclusive feature is to zero in on specific areas of hoof nutrition and avoid broad-based articles that simply look at the overall equine feeding situation.

Below you will find Part 1 of the latest question and answer installment that you can share with your footcare clients.

Q: I’m concerned about turning our horses out on lush spring grass.

By Scott Hancock, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim

Spring grasses often cause problems such as the onset of laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome or excessive weight gain. A spring diet high in non-structural carbohydrates may be a drastic change from feeding hay in a stall during the winter months.

I’ve conducted spring checkups for more than 20 years. Nearly every week, it seemed we would see a case of founder resulting from unmanaged intake of lush spring grasses.

Use caution regarding the amount of time a horse can graze. Some horse owners mow their pastures to reduce the amount of lush grass or use grazing muzzles to reduce the intake.

Scott Hancock is an equine veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim in Duluth, Ga.

Hoof Nutrition Intelligence is brought to you by W.F. Young Co. (Absorbine). Absorbine

Like many significant achievements, Absorbine® grew out of humble beginnings—and through the tenacity of someone willing to question the status quo. In this case, it was a young woman in late 19th-century Massachusetts: Mary Ida Young. Her husband, Wilbur Fenelon Young, was an enterprising piano deliveryman who relied on the couple’s team of horses to make deliveries throughout the Northeast. Inspired by Mary Ida and Wilbur’s vision, Absorbine® has continued to add innovative products throughout the years — products used every day by horse owners around the world. Which is why, since 1892, we’ve been The Horse World’s Most Trusted Name®.

Click here to read Part 2 of the May 15, 2017 installment: How do I regulate calcium and phosphorus levels in the horse’s diet?

Click here to read more installments of Hoof Nutrition Intelligence.