Spring pasture is pretty to look at, but it can also bring hidden dangers for your horse’s health. Fortunately, there’s more horse owners can do than be paranoid about pasture. That’s why SmartPak has smart tips and innovative supplement solutions to help your horse stay happy and healthy this spring.
The arrival of spring brings lush green grass to your pastures. While your horse may be excited to graze, eating too much lush grass can lead to serious problems. “Spring pasture is known to be rich in sugars and starches which may put your horse at risk for serious health concerns,” said Dr. Lydia Gray, SmartPak’s Staff Veterinarian and Medical Director. “As you start preparing for the spring season, it’s important to work alongside your veterinarian to help develop management practices tailored to your horse’s needs.”
Using smart turnout practices is an important piece of the puzzle that helps horses who may be prone to problems associated with grass stay healthy. Start by first reintroducing grazing slowly and talk with your vet about an appropriate grazing schedule. In addition, consider using a grazing muzzle, which provides a comfortable way to limit your horse’s intake of grass without obstructing his ability to drink or breathe, so he can have fun in the field and you don’t have to worry!
Too much spring grass can bring concerns for your horse’s laminar health. You can take a proactive approach to supporting your horse by providing a supplement that aids to maintain the integrity and vitality of this laminar tissue. SmartLamina® Pellets is an innovative hoof health formula that provides hops and omega 3 fatty acids, two ingredients demonstrated by research to support healthy laminae. This one-of-a-kind formula also includes potent antioxidants to combat oxidative stress in hoof tissues, along with MSM to promote a healthy inflammatory response and devil’s claw to help manage discomfort in the foot.
If your horse is an easy keeper, and thus at risk from sugars found in lush spring grass, consider providing him with a supplement designed to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and support normal metabolic function. SmartMetabo-Lean® Pellets offers ingredients such as chromium and magnesium to support proper insulin function, as well as cinnamon and bitter melon to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. This formula can be paired with SmartLamina Pellets for the ultimate in comprehensive support.
“We understand the metabolic and foot health concerns horse owners face in the spring,” said Jessica Normand, SmartPak’s Senior Director of Product Research and Development. “That’s why we carefully formulated SmartMetabo-Lean and SmartLamina with ingredients to support a normal metabolism and healthy laminae, respectfully. These unique supplements are powerful tools when used as part of a well-rounded program that includes a carefully-managed diet, mitigating the risks of pasture, and working closely with your veterinarian.”
Want to know more about how you can support your horse? Visit www.SmartPak.com or call 1-800-461-8898 and speak to one of SmartPak’s expertly trained Product Specialist, who will help you find the right supplement program for your horse.