Horse health and welfare
Keep your horse safe from sugar this fall!
Sep
Did you know that grass can be just as dangerous in the fall as it is in the spring?
As the seasons change, it’s not just the color of the leaves that changes—fall grass can pose hidden risks for horses. Cooler temperatures and sunny days cause sugar levels in grass to rise, which can lead to health problems such as laminitis, weight gain, or metabolic problems.
Why is grass risky in the fall?
Fructan is the sugar in grass that can cause laminitis.
In the fall, cooler nights slow grass growth, but sunny days allow photosynthesis to continue, storing sugars (fructans) in the grass. This increase in sugar, especially in early fall, can be problematic for horses with conditions such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) of Cushing'sEven healthy horses are at risk of getting too much sugar during this period.
After a summer of lovely grass and sunshine, the transition to autumn can be misleading. Barely grazed meadows and dry grass may seem harmless, but they can still contain high sugar levels. During cooler nights and autumn dampness, fructan production in grass can increase, posing a risk to horses.
How fructan in grass leads to laminitis?
Fructan, a sugar that accumulates during stressful conditions such as temperature changes, is notorious for causing laminitis.
This is especially a problem in horses with metabolic disorders such as Cushing's or insulin resistance.
5 important tips to protect your horse!
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Limit grazing time:
Graze your horse in the early morning when sugar levels are lower and avoid grazing in the late afternoon or on sunny days when sugar levels are highest. -
Use a grazing muzzle:
Grazing muzzles, such as the ThinLine Grazing Muzzle, help reduce grass intake without restricting exercise or causing stress. This is an excellent solution to control your horse's sugar intake without removing them from pasture completely. -
Offer hay instead of grass:
If you notice high sugar levels in your pasture, consider switching your horse to a low sugar hay diet during peak feeding times. This will still provide the fiber they need without the excess sugar. -
Monitor your horse's condition:
Pay attention to your horse's weight, hooves and overall health. Sudden changes in behavior, weight gain or signs of laminitis (e.g. discomfort when walking) may indicate they are getting too much sugar. -
Test your grass:
Consider testing your pasture for sugar levels. Pasture management strategies such as rotational grazing and mowing can help reduce sugar levels in the grass.
By taking these proactive steps, you will not only help prevent laminitis, but you will also ensure that your horse stays healthy and comfortable during the fall season.
The solution: Limit sugar intake with a grazing mask
Studies show that horses with metabolic problems benefit from using a grazing muzzleThis reduces the amount of sugary grass they ingest, reducing the chance of laminitis.
Prevent health problems with a few simple adjustments!
Learn how to keep your horse safe with a break-away halter and grazing muzzle this fall season.
Really? A grazing muzzle?!
Sure! But it can be different!
We understand what you're thinking: “My horse hates grazing muzzles, I don't want to use one”, “My horse just pulls them off” or “They're bulky, unsafe and my horse won't drink when wearing one”.
At ThinLine they designed a grazing muzzle where the health and well-being of the horse was the main focus in the development. But we helped to find a solution!
The ThinLine Grazing Mask is softer, safer and has a smarter design than cage-like devices of the past. The flexible material encourages your horse to behave naturally, resulting in an overall healthier horse.
The durable and flexible material construction significantly improves the horses feel while remaining effective. It is soft and gentle on the teeth and lips, so your horse almost forgets that it is wearing it.
The Flexible Filly Muzzle is well ventilated and secure, designed to break just before your halter. Plus, the grazing hole size is adjustable, allowing you to provide the perfect grazing opportunity.
It can be used with your horse's current halter, or you can combine it with our specially designed halter and halter liners for a perfect fit! Maintaining this mask is super easy. You can put the mask in a laundry bag and machine wash it with cold water, detergent and bleach.
Or you can just throw it in a bucket of soap, bleach, and water and then scrub it with a brush.
Too good to be true?
It's true! We've researched horse behavior to understand why other grazing muzzles don't work well enough, so we could create a simple solution for safer grazing.
Horses can still groom, scratch each other, and behave as nature intended, just like horses! Protect your horse this fall and discuss grazing practices and management with your veterinarian.
Read the reviews from satisfied horse owners, learn how to choose the right size and see more at!
I bought this muzzle and even tho we had an issue with fit because she's in-between sizes once I got it right this muzzle as been amazing for my mare ..I don't like to muzzle but as far as muzzles go this is the kindest I've found and I don't feel bad muzzling her anymore. Also the fact you can clean it every time you use it so the next day I put it on her its never full of dried grass and mud like the bucket material muzzles are
Thanks Nicola!! ❤️Great to hear!
Thin line saved the day for my two ponies, best muzzle on the market well worth the investment
Thanks Julie for the review! ❤️
My horse hated grazing muzzle, so I decided to try ThinLine out. She suffers from Cushing, so out of the question to go without a mask. Where before she was reluctant to put any grazing muzzle on, I never had any problem to put the ThinLine mask. It's just like putting a dumbbell on. She's completely fine with it. You can also select the grazing diameter. Just because of all her issues we decided to create a paddock paradise with sand, but I'm pleased that ThineLine served us very well!
Thank you Alexia! Great to hear!!