EMS, Laminitis, and Fructans: A Dangerous Trio for Equine Health

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), laminitis and fructans pose a serious risk to your horse’s health. Horses with EMS are particularly susceptible to laminitis, and fructans plays a key role in this. Adapted feeding and monitoring of the fructan content in the feed are essential, to minimize the risk. This article explains the connection between EMS, laminitis, and fructans and how the Happie Horse App can help you manage your horse’s health.

What is EMS?

Equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is a metabolic disorder in horses, which is characterized by insulin resistance. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels, but in horses with EMS this regulation does not work properly. The increased sugar levels in the blood lead to long-term health problems, including laminitis.

Typical symptoms of EMS:

Overweight or fat deposits in unusual places such as the mane crest, base of the tail and above the eyes
Recurrent Laminitis
Increased thirst and frequent urination
Poor performance and sluggishness

The Link Between EMS, Laminitis, and Fructans

Horses with EMS have an increased risk of developing laminitis. Fructan, a sugar, plays a central role in this, which is contained in pasture grass and also in some types of hay. Horses with EMS are less able to break down fructan, which can have significant health consequences.

Fructan promotes laminitis:

Fructan excess: If a horse consumes large amounts of fructan, it is only incompletely broken down in the large intestine. This leads to incorrect fermentation, during which toxins (endotoxins) are released.
Inflammatory reaction: These endotoxins enter the bloodstream and trigger an inflammatory reaction.
Laminitis: The inflammation can damage the sensitive hoof corium and trigger laminitis, an extremely painful disease.

The Role of Fructan Risk Management in the Prevention of Laminitis

The Fructan Risk Management feature in the Happie Horse App is a valuable tool that helps you monitor the fructan levels in grass and minimize your horse’s risk of laminitis. This is an essential resource, especially for horses with EMS.

How the Fructan Risk Management works:

Location data: The app uses your location to display the fruit content in the grass in your region.
Weather data: Since factors such as temperature, solar radiation and precipitation influence the fructan content in the grass, the app uses this data to calculate the current risk of hoof rot.
Risk assessment: The app shows the risk, from green (low risk) to red (high risk).

Advantages of the Fructan Risk Management:

Individual pasture management: You can flexibly adjust your horse’s grazing times and control the fructan content of the feed.
Feeding optimization: With the help of the app , you can find hay varieties with low fructan content and adjust your horse’s feed accordingly.
Early detection: By continuously monitoring the fructan content and other risk factors you can take early action and prevent laminitis.

Daily grazing time

Note and observe your horse's daily grazing time, and display the past grazing time in a table.

Fructan risk

Check the daily fructan risk at your horse's location and keep an eye on your horse's health. See current fructan risk factors.

Get push notifications

Receive notifications about specific fructan risks based on your selection

Location

You can use the location function to display your current location and the weather, and set different locations for different horses.

Weather forecast

Monitor the weather at your horse 's current location. Choose between a 12-hour and a 4-day forecast.

Past grazing times

Get an overview of past grazing times and fructan risks. Perfect for the grazing or grazing period.

Additional tools in the Happie Horse app

Alongside Fructan Risk Management, the Happie Horse App offers additional helpful features:

Feeding Log: Keep track of feeding and adjust it based on the fructan content of the feed.
Health Data: Monitor key health parameters like your horse’s pulse and temperature.
Calendar Function: Schedule important vet and farrier appointments to ensure your horse’s health.

Conclusion: Prevent EMS and Laminitis with the Happie Horse App

EMS, laminitis and fructans are closely linked and pose a serious risk to your horse. The Happie Horse app helps you to monitor the fructan content in the feed, optimize grazing times and prevent laminitis. Download the app and support your horse’s health, to effectively prevent laminitis and other secondary diseases.

Grazing / Fructan