FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Med Sci / Scientific Evidence and Common Perceptions of Factors Affect...
Veterinary medicine and science2026; 12(1); e70778; doi: 10.1002/vms3.70778

Scientific Evidence and Common Perceptions of Factors Affecting Sugar Content in Pasture Grass: Is There a Link With Pre-existing Horse-Related Experience?

Abstract: Several equine conditions are associated with and exacerbated by increased high-sugar grass intake. Knowing how climatic and biotic factors affect sugar content in grasses is important for decision-making by those involved in the management of equines. Objective: (1) To characterise equine owners' knowledge and perceptions of the factors affecting sugar content in grasses to inform in the management of grasses and equines. (2) To identify associations between pre-existing horse-related experience and level of knowledge about equine nutrition and health conditions. Methods: A questionnaire was developed and distributed online to characterise the perceptions of those involved in the management of equines and their knowledge of the environmental factors known to impact grass non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) levels, describing also the extent to which these factors associated with participants' level of experience in equine management. Results: 194 self-declared equine owners or responsible for equines completed the survey. Our results indicate that participants were relatively well informed regarding only some of the environmental factors known to affect sugar content in grasses, and less so in relation to how the presence of fungi, overgrazing/rotational stocking might influence NSC, indicating a significant gap in knowledge. The level of previous experience with equines was not associated with more accurate knowledge, highlighting the need for facilitating more knowledge exchange activities between stakeholders and the scientific community. Conclusions: We suggest that enhancing the dissemination of the effects of plant-fungal interactions and rotational stocking on NSC within the equine community may further improve their understanding around NSC content in grasses and its management, as fungi could be used to manage grass establishment and growth in paddocks and the grass sugar content.
© 2026 The Author(s). Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2026-01-18 PubMed ID: 41548206PubMed Central: PMC12812313DOI: 10.1002/vms3.70778Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Sugar levels in pasture grasses can impact horse health, but many horse owners have incomplete knowledge about what environmental factors influence these sugar levels. This study surveyed equine owners to assess their understanding and to see if experience correlated with better knowledge.

Background and Importance

  • Certain horses face health problems linked to eating grasses high in sugars (specifically non-structural carbohydrates, NSC).
  • Understanding what affects sugar levels in grasses—such as climate, fungi presence, and grazing management—is crucial for horse caretakers to prevent these health issues.
  • Despite research on these factors, it is unclear how well equine owners understand and apply this knowledge in managing their pastures and horses.

Study Objectives

  • To assess equine owners’ perceptions and knowledge about environmental factors influencing sugar content in pasture grasses.
  • To determine whether owners’ previous horse experience was related to better knowledge of equine nutrition and health issues associated with grass sugar content.

Methods

  • Developed an online questionnaire targeting people who own or are responsible for horses.
  • The survey asked about environmental factors (e.g., climate, fungi, grazing practices) known from scientific literature to impact NSC levels in grasses.
  • Collected demographic data and information on the participants’ prior horse-related experience.
  • Analyzed responses to determine knowledge gaps and associations between experience and knowledge levels.

Key Findings

  • 194 equine owners or responsible persons completed the survey.
  • Participants showed good awareness of some environmental factors influencing grass sugar content.
  • However, there was notable lack of knowledge concerning:
    • The role of fungi in affecting sugar content within pasture grasses.
    • The effects of overgrazing and rotational stocking (a grazing management strategy) on NSC levels.
  • Unexpectedly, having more experience with horses was not linked to more accurate or comprehensive knowledge about these factors.
  • This indicates that simply owning or caring for horses over time does not guarantee improved understanding of grass sugar management.

Conclusions and Implications

  • There is a significant knowledge gap among equine owners about some key environmental influences on grass sugar content, especially regarding fungi and grazing strategies.
  • Experience alone does not fill this gap, highlighting the need for targeted educational outreach.
  • Improved communication between scientists and the equine community is recommended to disseminate current scientific understanding.
  • Specifically, informing owners about how fungi interact with grasses and how rotational stocking can be managed to control sugar levels could benefit both pasture management and horse health.
  • Because fungi might be used to manage grass growth and sugar content, spreading knowledge on this could open new strategies for pasture and equine care.

Overall Significance

  • The paper identifies a disconnect between scientific knowledge about pasture grass NSC levels and the practical knowledge held by those managing horses.
  • It calls for enhanced educational initiatives to empower equine owners to manage sugar intake risks better, potentially reducing the incidence of sugar-related equine health problems.

Cite This Article

APA
Moaby I, Aitken A, Varga S. (2026). Scientific Evidence and Common Perceptions of Factors Affecting Sugar Content in Pasture Grass: Is There a Link With Pre-existing Horse-Related Experience? Vet Med Sci, 12(1), e70778. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70778

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
Pages: e70778
PII: e70778

Researcher Affiliations

Moaby, Isabel
  • School of Natural Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK.
Aitken, Alex
  • School of Natural Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK.
Varga, Sandra
  • School of Natural Sciences, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses / physiology
  • Poaceae / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Male
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

This article includes 49 references
  1. Allen E, Sheaffer C, Martinson K. Forage Nutritive Value and Preference of Cool‐season Grasses Under Horse Grazing. Agronomy Journal 105: 679–684.
    doi: 10.2134/agronj2012.0300google scholar: lookup
  2. Barbehenn RV, Chen Z, Karowe DN, Spickard A. C3 Grasses Have Higher Nutritional Quality Than C4 grasses Under Ambient and Elevated Atmospheric CO2. Global Change Biology 10: 1565–1575.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2004.00833.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  3. Benot M-L, Morvan-Bertrand A, Mony C. Grazing Intensity Modulates Carbohydrates Storage Pattern in Five Grass Species From Temperate Grasslands. Acta Oecologica 95: 108–115.
    doi: 10.1016/j.actao.2018.11.005google scholar: lookup
  4. Champely S. Pwr: Basic Functions for Power Analysis. .
  5. Chatterton NJ, Harrison PA, Bennett JH, Asay KH. Carbohydrate Partitioning in 185 Accessions of Gramineae Grown Under Warm and Cool Temperature. Journal of Plant Physiology 134: 169–179.
    doi: 10.1016/S0176-1617(89)80051-3google scholar: lookup
  6. Cheplick GP, Cho R. Interactive Effects of Fungal Endophyte Infection and Host Genotype on Growth and Storage in. New Phytologist 158: 183–191.
  7. Comont D, Winters A, Gomez LD, McQueen-Mason SJ, Gwynn-Jones D. Latitudinal Variation in Ambient UV‐B Radiation Is an Important Determinant of Forage Production, Quality, and Digestibility. Journal of Experimental Botany 64: 2193–2204.
    doi: 10.1093/jxb/ert077pmc: PMC3654412pubmed: 23580749google scholar: lookup
  8. Conaghan P, O'Kiely P, Halling MA, O'Mara FP, Nesheim L. Yield and Quality Response of Perennial Ryegrass Selected for High Concentration of Water‐soluble Carbohydrate to Nitrogen Application Rate. Crop Science 52: 2839–2851.
    doi: 10.2135/cropsci2012.02.0100google scholar: lookup
  9. Cripps MG, Edwards GR, McKenzie SL. Grass Species and Their Fungal Symbionts Affect Subsequent Forage Growth. Basic and Applied Ecology 14: 225–234.
    doi: 10.1016/j.baae.2013.01.008google scholar: lookup
  10. DeBoer ML, Sheaffer CC, Grev AM. Yield, Nutritive Value, and Preference of Annual Warm‐Season Grasses Grazed by Horses. Agronomy Journal 109: 2136–2148.
    doi: 10.2134/agronj2017.02.0099google scholar: lookup
  11. Equine Endocrinology Group. Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Managements of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Insulin Dysregulation. .
  12. Espevig T, DaCosta M, Hoffman L. Freezing Tolerance and Carbohydrate Changes of Two Agrostis Species During Cold Acclimation. Crop Science 51: 1188–1197.
    doi: 10.2135/cropsci2010.07.0415google scholar: lookup
  13. Franzluebbers AJ, Hill NS. Soil Carbon, Nitrogen, and Ergot Alkaloids With Short‐ and Long‐Term Exposure to Endophyte‐Infected and Endophyte‐Free Tall Fescue. Soil Science Society of America Journal 69: 404–412.
    doi: 10.2136/sssaj2005.0404google scholar: lookup
  14. Gallagher JA, Cairns AJ, Turner LB. Fructan in Temperate Forage Grasses: Agronomy, Physiology, and Molecular biology. 15–46.
  15. Gerber V, Schott HC II, Robinson NE. Owner Assessment in Judging the Efficacy of Airway Disease Treatment. Equine Veterinary Journal 43, no. 2: 153–158.
    pubmed: 21592208doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00156.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  16. nnHill, N. S.n, Pachon J. G., and Bacon C. W.. 1996. “n‐Mediated Short‐ and Long‐Term Drought Acclimation in Tall Fescue.” Crop Sciencen36: 665–672. 10.2135/cropsci1996.0011183X003600030025x.
    doi: 10.2135/cropsci1996.0011183X003600030025xgoogle scholar: lookup
  17. Hopster, K. , and van Eps A. W.. 2019. “Pain Management for Laminitis in the Horse.” Equine Veterinary Education 31: 384–392. 10.1111/eve.12910.
    doi: 10.1111/eve.12910google scholar: lookup
  18. Jensen, K. B. , Harrison P., Chatterton N. J., Bushman B. S., and Creech J. E.. 2014. “Seasonal Trends in Nonstructural Carbohydrates in Cool‐ and Warm‐Season Grasses.” Crop Science 54: 2328–2340. 10.2135/cropsci2013.07.0465.
    doi: 10.2135/cropsci2013.07.0465google scholar: lookup
  19. nnJohnson, N. C.n, Graham J. H., and Smith F. A.. 2008. “Functioning of Mycorrhizal Associations Along the Mutualism‐Parasitism Continuum.” New Phytologistn135: 575–585. https://doi.org.10.1046/j.1469‐8137.1997.00729.x.
  20. nnKagan, I. A.n, Kirch B. H., Thatcher C. D., et al. 2011. “Seasonal and Diurnal Variation in Simple Sugar and Fructan Composition of Orchardgrass Pasture and Hay in the Piedmont Region of the United States.” Journal of Equine Veterinary Sciencen31: 488–497. https://10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.004.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2011.03.004google scholar: lookup
  21. Longland, A. C. , and Byrd B. M.. 2006. “Pasture Nonstructral Carbohydrates and Equine Laminitis.” Journal of Nutrition 136: 2099S–2102S. 10.1093/jn/136.7.2099S.
    doi: 10.1093/jn/136.7.2099Spubmed: 16772510google scholar: lookup
  22. Martínez‐Vilalta, J. , Sala A., Asensio D., et al. 2016. “Dynamics of Non‐Structural Carbohydrates in Terrestrial Plants: A Global Synthesis.” Ecological Monographs 86: 495–516. 10.1002/ecm.1231.
    doi: 10.1002/ecm.1231google scholar: lookup
  23. nnMartinson, K. L.n, Wells M. S., and Sheaffer C. C.. 2015. “Horse Preference, Forage Yield and Species Persistence of Twelve Perennial Cool‐Season Grass Mixtures Under Horse Grazing.” Journal of Equine Veterinary Sciencen36: 19–25. https://soi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2015.10.003.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2015.10.003google scholar: lookup
  24. nnMeyer, D.n, Zeileis A., Hornik K., and Friendly M.. 2024. “vcd: Visualizing Categorical Data.” R Package Version 1n4–13. https://CRAN.R‐project.org/package=vcd.
  25. nnMiller, L. A.n, Moorby J. M., Davies D. R., et al. 2001. “Increased Concentration of Water‐Soluble Carbohydrates in Perennial Rye‐grass ( L.): Milk Production From Late‐Lactation Dairy Cows.” Grass Forage Sciencen56: 383–394. 10.1046/j.1365-2494.2001.00288.x.
    doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2494.2001.00288.xgoogle scholar: lookup
  26. Moore, K. J. , and Hatfield R. D.. 1994. “Carbohydrates and Forage quality.” In Forage Quality, Evaluation, and Utilization, edited by Fahey G. C. Jr., Collins M. C., Mertens D. R., and Moser L. E., 229–280. ASA‐CSSA‐SSSA.
  27. Morin, C. , Bélanger G., Tremblay G. F., et al. 2011. “Diurnal Variations of Nonstructural Carbohydrates and Nutritive Value in Alfalfa.” Crop Science 51: 1297–1306. 10.2135/cropsci2010.07.0406.
    doi: 10.2135/cropsci2010.07.0406google scholar: lookup
  28. Morin, C. , Tremblay G. F., Bertrand A., et al. 2012. “Short Communication: Diurnal Variations of Nonstructural Carbohydrates and Nutritive Value in Timothy.” Canadian Journal of Plant Sciences 92: 883–887. 10.4141/cjps2011-272.
    doi: 10.4141/cjps2011-272google scholar: lookup
  29. nnMorvan‐Bertrand, A.n, Boucaud J., Le Saos J., and Prud'homme M. P.. 2001. “Roles of the Fructans From Leaf Sheaths and From the Elongating Leaf Bases in the Regrowth Following Defoliation of L.” Plantan213: 109–120. 10.1007/s004250000478.n
    doi: 10.1007/s004250000478pubmed: 11523646google scholar: lookup
  30. Nagabhyru, P. , Dinkins R., Wood C., Bacon C., and Schardl C.. 2013. “Tall Fescue Endophyte Effects on Tolerance to Water‐Deficit Stress.” BMC Plant Biology 13: 127. 10.1186/1471-2229-13-127.
    doi: 10.1186/1471-2229-13-127pmc: PMC3848598pubmed: 24015904google scholar: lookup
  31. Owens, V. N. , Albrecht K. A., Muck R. E., and Duke S. H.. 1999. “Protein Degradation and Fermentation Characteristics of Red Clover and Alfalfa Silage Harvested With Varying Levels of Total Nonstructural Carbohydrates.” Crop Science 39: 1873–1880. 10.2135/cropsci1999.3961873x.
    doi: 10.2135/cropsci1999.3961873xgoogle scholar: lookup
  32. Pelletier, S. , Tremblay G. F., Lafrenière C., et al. 2009. “Nonstructural Carbohydrate Concentrations in Timothy as Affected by N Fertilization, Stage of Development, and Time of Cutting.” Agronomy Journal 101: 13721380. 10.2134/agronj2009.0125.
    doi: 10.2134/agronj2009.0125google scholar: lookup
  33. Pelletier, S. , Tremblay G. F., Bélanger G., et al. 2010. “Forage Nonstructural Carbohydrates and Nutritive Value as Affected by Time of Cutting and Species.” Agronomy Journal 102: 13881398. 10.2134/agronj2010.0158.
    doi: 10.2134/agronj2010.0158google scholar: lookup
  34. nnPollitt, C. C.n, Kyaw‐Tanner M., French K. R., van Eps A. W., Hendrikz J. K., and Daradka M.. 2003. Equine Laminitis. 49 Annual Convention of the American Association of Equine Practioners, New Orleans, LA.
  35. R Core Team . 2023. “R: a Language and Environment for Statistical Computing.” In R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria.
  36. nnRiet‐Correa, F.n, Rivero R., Odriozola E., et al. 2013. “Mycotoxicoses of Ruminants and Horses.” Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigationn25: 692–708. https://10.1177/1040638713504572.n
    doi: 10.1177/1040638713504572pubmed: 24091682google scholar: lookup
  37. nnRogers, M. E.n, Lawson A. R., and Kelly K. B.. 2019. “Summer Production and Survival of Perennial Ryegrass () and Tall Fescue () Genotypes in Northern Victoria Under Differing Irrigation Management.” Crop Pasture Sciencen70: 1163–1174. 10.1071/CP18542.
    doi: 10.1071/CP18542google scholar: lookup
  38. Sanchez Marquez, S. , Bills G. F., Herrero N., and Zabalgogeazcoa I.. 2012. “Non‐Systemic Fungal Endophytes of Grasses.” Fungal Ecology 5: 289–297. 10.1016/j.funeco.2010.12.001.
    doi: 10.1016/j.funeco.2010.12.001google scholar: lookup
  39. Secombe, C. J. , and Lester G. D.. 2012. “The Role of Diet in the Prevention and Management of Several Equine Diseases.” Animal Feed Science and Technology 173: 86–101. 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.12.017.
    doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.12.017google scholar: lookup
  40. Smith, A. M. , and Stitt M.. 2007. “Coordination of Carbon Supply and Plant Growth.” Plant, Cell & Environment 30: 1126–1149. 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2007.01708.x.
    doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3040.2007.01708.xpubmed: 17661751google scholar: lookup
  41. Smith, S. E. , and Read D.. 2010. Mycorrhizal Symbiosis. Academic Press. 10.1016/B978-0-12-370526-6.X5001-6.
    doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-370526-6.X5001-6google scholar: lookup
  42. van Eps, A. W. , and Pollitt C. C.. 2006. “Equine Laminitis Induced With Oligofructose.” Equine Veterinary Journal 38: 203–208. 10.2746/042516406776866327.
    doi: 10.2746/042516406776866327pubmed: 16706272google scholar: lookup
  43. Virkajärvi, P. , Saarijärvi K., Rinne M., and Saastamoinen M.. 2012. “Grass Physiology and Its Relation to Nutritive Value in Feeding horses.” In Forages and Grazing in Horse Nutrition, edited by Saastamoinen M., Fradinho M. J., Santos A. S., and Miraglia N., 17–43. Wageningen Academic Publishers. 10.3920/978-90-8686-755-4_1.
    doi: 10.3920/978-90-8686-755-4_1google scholar: lookup
  44. Watts, K. A. , and Chatterton N. J.. 2004. “A Review of Factors Affecting Carbohydrate Levels in Forage.” Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 24: 84–96.
  45. Weinert, J. R. , and Williams C. A.. 2018. “Recovery of Pasture Forage Production Following Winter Rest in Continuous and Rotational Horse Grazing Systems.” Journal Equine Veterinary Science 70: 32–37. 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.06.017.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.06.017google scholar: lookup
  46. Weinert‐Nelson, J. R. , Biddle A. S., and Williams C. A.. 2022. “Fecal Microbiome of Horses Transitioning Between Warm‐Season and Cool‐Season Grass Pasture Within Integrated Rotational Grazing Systems.” Anmal Microbiome 4: 41. 10.1186/s42523-022-00192-x.
    doi: 10.1186/s42523-022-00192-xpmc: PMC9210719pubmed: 35729677google scholar: lookup
  47. Williams, C. A. , Kenny L. B., Weinert J. R., Sullivan K., Meyer W., and Robson M. G.. 2020. “Effects of 27 mo of Rotational vs. continuous Grazing on Horse and Pasture Condition.” Translational Animal Science 4: txaa084. 10.1093/tas/txaa084.
    doi: 10.1093/tas/txaa084pmc: PMC7370406pubmed: 32705075google scholar: lookup
  48. Wylie, C. E. , Collins S. N., Verheyen K. L. P., and Newton J. R.. 2011. “Frequency of Equine Laminitis: a Systematic Review With Quality Appraisal of Published Evidence.” Veterinary Journal 189: 248–256. 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.04.014.
    doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.04.014pubmed: 21665498google scholar: lookup
  49. Zhang, Z. , Gong J., Li X., et al. 2021. “Underlying Mechanism on Source‐Sink Carbon Balance of Grazed Perennial Grass During Regrowth: Insights Into Optimal Grazing Regimes of Restoration of Degraded Grasslands in a Temperate Steppe.” Journal of Environmental Management 277: 111439. 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111439.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111439pubmed: 33035939google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,002 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.