From this, horses need to be protected in winter.

In winter, grasses often contain a lot of fructans. If horses eat too much of it, it can have serious consequences. An article on landundforst.de draws attention to the fact that frost itself is not a problem for horses, but frozen grass often contains a lot of fructan. Increased fructan intake in horses is a potential trigger for the development of feed-related laminitis. Fructan is a molecule that consists of a chain of fructose molecules linked together, with a glucose molecule at the end. Fructans are sugars that can cause digestive disorders in humans as well. During photosynthesis, the plant produces energy, from which it develops cellulose for its growth. Under favorable conditions, this process runs smoothly, and the energy can be invested directly into the plant's growth. If the plant cannot grow for some reason (e.g., it is too cold or too dry), it stores the energy in the form of fructan and also provides protection against frost. Sunny days following frosty nights are ...