Spring Time - Insulin Awareness
Elevated Insulin in Horses: What Mornington Peninsula Owners Need to Know This Spring
As the days warm and the paddocks green up across the Mornington Peninsula, many horse owners welcome the lush spring grass. But for some horses, this seasonal flush can bring a hidden danger: elevated insulin levels.
Why Elevated Insulin Matters
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. In some horses—particularly those with insulin dysregulation (ID) or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)—a surge in sugar-rich spring grass can push insulin levels too high. Prolonged elevated insulin can trigger painful and potentially devastating laminitis.
Some horses are more at risk than others:
Easy keepers or ponies
Horses with a cresty neck or fat deposits
Horses that have had laminitis before
Older horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID / Cushing’s disease)
Why Spring is a High-Risk Season
Spring grass often contains higher levels of non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs)—the sugars and starches that drive insulin spikes. Cool nights combined with sunny days, common in early spring, can make pasture sugar levels even higher.
On the Mornington Peninsula, our coastal climate means these high-sugar conditions can appear early and linger well into October, even when paddocks look “safe.”
Signs Your Horse May Have Elevated Insulin
While blood tests are the only reliable way to know for sure, watch for:
A cresty neck that feels firm
Unexplained weight gain despite little feed
Fat pads around the tailhead or behind the shoulders
Subtle foot soreness, shortened stride, or reluctance to turn
How to Protect Your Horse This Spring
Test early – A simple blood test with your vet can measure insulin and glucose levels before issues arise.
Manage pasture access – Use a grazing muzzle, limit turnout to low-sugar times, or create a dry lot.
Feed for low NSC – Choose low-sugar hay and avoid high-starch feeds.
Encourage movement – Gentle daily exercise can help regulate insulin.
Monitor closely – Check hooves daily for heat or digital pulses.
Work With Your Vet
Early detection and proactive management are key to preventing laminitis in insulin-sensitive horses. If you’re unsure about your horse’s risk, talk to your vet about testing now—before the lush grass takes hold.
Your horse’s health this spring starts with awareness. Watch our video below for a vet’s insights on recognising and managing elevated insulin, and take the first step toward a safe, sound season.