The Risk of Laminitis

The grass intake of all horses and ponies requires vigilant monitoring, with extra precautions taken for horses or ponies susceptible to suffering from laminitis or other health problems that are triggered by grazing on lush grass. The highest risk periods are during spring and autumn when the grass grows most rapidly, but horse and pony owners and keepers should remain aware of the grass growth rate and conditions throughout the year. Laminitis is a painful condition involving inflammation and weakening of the laminae that bonds the hoof wall to the pedal bone in the hoof.

Susceptible animals should be maintained on a high fibre, low starch and low sugar diet. Grass is not the only dietary trigger of laminitis: cereals contain high levels of starch that are converted to simple sugars and have the same effect as the water soluble carbohydrates found in grass. There are other causes of laminitis including: toxaemic disease; trauma; corticosteroid drugs; hoof problems; hormonal problems and stress.

Adapting Grazing Management

Management routines must be adapted according to each individual equine's needs. This will include restricting grass consumption, for example by: reducing the time spent at grass; using a less productive paddock with traditional meadow species; allowing access to only a small area of grazing at a time; keeping pasture topped or by cross grazing with sheep etc. Some people successfully use a muzzle to restrict a horse or pony's grass intake, but this is only appropriate at sites where horses and ponies can be closely supervised.

Traditional meadow pastures are likely to be lower in fructans - water-soluble carbohydrates that are known to trigger laminitis - than reseeded pastures and therefore more suitable for laminitis-susceptible equines. Grass stores higher levels of fructans in stems than in leaves and levels elevate during daylight. If grass becomes stressed (e.g. during frost or drought) levels can also increase quickly. Fertiliser applications should generally be avoided on pastures grazed by laminitis-susceptible animals.

Remember laminitis does not just affect ponies: horses can also suffer attacks. All horses and ponies' grass intake during the growing season should be monitored, not just those with a previous history or identified susceptibility of laminitis. Consult your vet for more information or an equine nutritionist for dietary advice.