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Per UMN Extension, which pasture plants tend to store more carbohydrates (sugars)?

Cool-season grasses like orchardgrass, bromegrass and timothy.

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  1. Grass growing in deep shade
  2. Cool-season grasses like timothy and orchardgrass ✔
  3. Fully mature, grown-out grass

Why: UMN says cool-season grasses such as orchardgrass, bromegrass and timothy tend to store more carbohydrates. Shaded and more mature grass hold less sugar. This matters most for horses prone to laminitis.

Huh, didn't know that: Rapid intake of nonstructural carbohydrates (sugars) stored in pasture plants can cause laminitis, says UMN.

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References

Answer: Cool-season grasses like timothy and orchardgrass. UMN says cool-season grasses such as orchardgrass, bromegrass and timothy tend to store more carbohydrates. Shaded and more mature grass hold less sugar. This matters most for horses prone to laminitis.

  1. Grazing horses prone to laminitis (UMN Extension) extension.umn.edu/node/1506
    Cool season grasses like orchardgrass, bromegrass, and timothy tend to store more carbohydrates.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. Grazing horses prone to laminitis (UMN Extension) extension.umn.edu/node/1506
    High amounts of sugars in grasses can bring about laminitis in horses susceptible to the disease.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  3. Grazing horses prone to laminitis (UMN Extension) extension.umn.edu/node/1506
    Horses grazing in areas shaded by trees or buildings may be able to graze longer as plants will be collecting less sugar.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  4. Grazing horses prone to laminitis (UMN Extension) extension.umn.edu/node/1506
    Allowing pasture grasses to become more mature should also reduce the sugar content
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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