July/August 2025 Issue

EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN July/August 2025 Page 15 Visit us online at www.eastcoastequestrian.net Feeding the Insulin Resistant Horse Pasture grass is a major source of sugar in the horse’s diet, but carbohydrate content varies with soil type, climate, hours of sun- light, species, season, and time of day. Access to pasture should be carefully restricted for horses with insulin resistance. Species lower in sugars that allow for longer grazing times in- clude timothy, brome orchardgrass, bermudagrass, and teff. Avoid rye- grasses, meadow fescue, and cereal hay, such as wheat and oats.Alfalfa is a good source of both protein and less-digestible fiber and can meet or exceed horses’calcium and protein requirements. Cool season grasses accumu- late more starches, sugars, and fructans and are higher in total energy content. Although alfalfa hay is higher in total energy content than grass hays, most of the energy is from protein and fiber. Avoid grazing any pasture grasses that are growing rapidly or going through a dynamic phase – like after a summer rain, or en- tering dormancy in late fall. Horses should be limited to 2 percent of their body weight in feed. Hay should be fed before an- imals are released onto pasture – one good scenario is to feed hay all night before turning animals out early in the morning, when sugar levels are lower. Given a choice, horses will consume lush pasture grasses before hay every time. Soaking hay in cold water for 30 minutes lowers the sugar content. Keep horses off weedy pas- tures, since weeds can have a greater concentration of iron than forage grasses, potentially leading to elevated insulin and can be higher in sugar. In spring, when grass is lush and growing rapidly, horses will want to consume more. Muzzles can also be used to limit intake. Frost can greatly increase fructans in the plants within a few hours. And, hay can run the risk of higher sugar content if it is cut in bright sun. A Quarter Century of Trusted Fencing For horse owners and agri- cultural landowners across the Mid-Atlantic, Evergreen Fence, Inc. has become a go-to source for reliable, high-quality fencing. With over 25 years of experience, this Lebanon County-based com- pany brings expertise, modern equipment, and exceptional crafts- manship to every job—ensuring fences that are both functional and built to last. Evergreen Fence specializes in a wide range of equine and ag- ricultural fencing styles, including board, split rail, hi-tensile, and box wire fences. Whether you're outfitting a large pasture, building safe turnout paddocks, or replacing aging fence lines, their teamworks with precision and respect for your property. Cleanup is always part of the job, and customer satisfaction remains their top priority. Beyond installation, Evergreen also provides fence removal, brush clearing, and professional fence painting—making them a full-ser- vice solution for new builds, up- grades, or property refreshes. While agricultural fencing remains their specialty, the company also handles commercial projects and automatic gate systems, adding convenience and security to farms and facilities of all sizes. Serving Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and beyond, Evergreen Fence is known for clear communication, honest proposals, and top-tier materials. When it comes to fencing, they truly do it all—with care, quality, and a commitment to doing it right the first time. For more information, visit www.evergreenfence.net or call (717) 272-1001.