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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2026; 16(2); 267; doi: 10.3390/ani16020267

The Effect of Seasonal Changes in Non-Structural Carbohydrates in Pasture on the Metabolic Profile of Horses with Laminitis.

Abstract: This study aimed to examine the seasonal dynamics of non-structural carbohydrates in pasture and their relationship to metabolic indicators in horses with a history of laminitis. Thirty Hucul mares were divided into a laminitis group (LG, = 15) and a control group (CG, = 15). Insulin, glucose, fructosamines concentrations and body weight were monitored during four sampling periods (S0-S3), while pasture variables were analyzed during three periods (S1-S3). The concentration of water-soluble carbohydrates was highest in May (126.8 g/kg DM) and measured lower in October (57.9 g/kg DM), while starch concentrations measured 0.1 g/kg DM in May, 25.8 g/kg DM in July, and 24.0 g/kg DM in October. No significant differences were observed in insulin concentrations between groups ( > 0.05). Glucose was significantly higher in LG in May (LG: 5.50 mmol/L; CG: 5.09 mmol/L; < 0.05) and October (LG: 5.98 mmol/L; CG: 5.24 mmol/L; < 0.01). Fructosamine values were higher in LG throughout the season, with significance in October (LG: 120.6 μmol/L; CG: 101.1 μmol/L; < 0.05). Body weight increased in both LG and CG during grazing (S2), with mean values at S0 being 423.6 kg in LG and 424.8 kg in CG, and at S2 being 533.8 kg in LG and 535.6 kg in CG ( > 0.05 for between-group differences). These findings suggest a different glycemic response in laminitic horses in relation to WSC and starch concentrations and highlight starch as a potential predictor of glycemic instability.
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Publication Date: 2026-01-15 PubMed ID: 41594457PubMed Central: PMC12837663DOI: 10.3390/ani16020267Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

Overview

  • This study investigated how seasonal changes in pasture non-structural carbohydrate levels affect metabolic markers in horses with a history of laminitis compared to healthy controls.
  • The research aimed to understand the relationship between carbohydrate content in forage and indicators like insulin, glucose, and fructosamines in horses, to better understand metabolic responses linked to laminitis.

Study Design and Subjects

  • Thirty Hucul mares were studied, divided into two groups: 15 horses with laminitis history (LG) and 15 healthy controls (CG).
  • Measurements were taken during multiple sampling periods: four for horse metabolic parameters (S0 through S3) and three for pasture carbohydrate analysis (S1 through S3).

Pasture Carbohydrate Analysis

  • Water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations in pasture were highest in May (126.8 g/kg dry matter) and lowest in October (57.9 g/kg dry matter).
  • Starch concentrations in pasture varied seasonally: very low in May (0.1 g/kg DM), higher in July (25.8 g/kg DM), and slightly lower in October (24.0 g/kg DM).
  • The seasonal variation reflects changes in pasture composition and growth, affecting the nutritional content available to grazing horses.

Metabolic Markers Measured

  • Insulin concentrations did not show significant differences between laminitic and control groups at any sampling time.
  • Blood glucose was significantly higher in the laminitis group in May and October, suggesting altered glucose metabolism at times corresponding to changes in pasture carbohydrate levels.
  • Fructosamine, a marker related to longer-term glycemic control, was elevated in the laminitic group during the entire season, with a significant difference in October.

Body Weight Changes

  • Both laminitic and control horses showed an increase in body weight during grazing season, particularly by the S2 sampling point.
  • Starting weights at S0 were similar between groups (~424 kg), increasing to approximately 534 kg at S2, with no significant difference between groups.
  • This weight gain reflects the natural nutrition-related growth during grazing but was not differentially linked to laminitis in this study.

Interpretation and Implications

  • The elevated glucose and fructosamine levels in laminitic horses, especially at times of higher or fluctuating non-structural carbohydrate availability, imply a distinct glycemic response compared to healthy horses.
  • The lack of difference in insulin suggests that insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia may not be markedly different, but glucose regulation is nonetheless affected.
  • Starch concentration in pasture appears to be a potential predictor of glycemic instability in laminitic horses, highlighting the importance of monitoring starch intake for managing laminitis risk.
  • Understanding these seasonal metabolic patterns can aid in developing pasture management and feeding strategies to reduce laminitis episodes.

Cite This Article

APA
Mlyneková E, Zaťko S, Halo M, Imrich I, Halo M. (2026). The Effect of Seasonal Changes in Non-Structural Carbohydrates in Pasture on the Metabolic Profile of Horses with Laminitis. Animals (Basel), 16(2), 267. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16020267

Publication

Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 16
Issue: 2
PII: 267

Researcher Affiliations

Mlyneková, Eva
  • Institute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia.
Zaťko, Stanislav
  • Institute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia.
Halo, Marko
  • Institute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia.
Imrich, Ivan
  • Institute of Animal Husbandry, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia.
Halo, Marko
  • Institute of Applied Biology, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia.

Grant Funding

  • VEGA 1/0437/24 / Vedecká grantová agentúra MŠVVaM SR a SAV

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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