Ep. 54: Understanding Pasture Grass Sugar Levels — The Long and the Short of It with the Equine, PhD

Is short grass really sweeter? Is tall grass actually safer for metabolic horses? Or have we been grazing on myths? In this powerful, research-backed episode, we sit down with Dr. Michelle DeBoer of Equine, PhD , the voice behind the viral post that ignited over 1,500 likes, 400+ comments, and 1,200 shares—and shook up everything we thought we knew about grass height, NSC (non-structural carbohydrates), and sugar intake in horses. We dive into: -What current research really says about grass height and NSC levels -How time of day, weather, and pasture management impact sugar content -Why warm- vs. cool-season grasses behave differently -Why maturity doesn't always mean "safe" when it comes to NSC -Why forage testing and horse-specific data matter more than social media myths -How the equine research system works—and why more support is desperately needed Whether you're managing a pony with metabolic issues, a performance horse on turnout, or just want to feed smarter with science, this episode will challenge what you know and empower you to make more informed decisions. Don’t miss the original post that inspired this episode: Tall Tales About Short Grass – Evaluating the Role of Grass Height & NSC Levels https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16sC8Xeqoo/ Do you have questions about feeding your horse? Contact us at info@scoopandscale.com Thanks for riding along with us!