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Understanding Laminitis Risk and Grass Changes
Laminitis is a painful and potentially devastating condition for horses and ponies, often linked to changes in grass growth and quality. Understanding what triggers laminitis—and how grass plays a key role—can help you protect your horse’s health all year round.
What is Laminitis?
Laminitis is inflammation of the sensitive tissues (laminae) inside the hoof, causing pain, lameness, and in severe cases, permanent hoof damage. While it can be caused by various factors, one of the most common triggers is a sudden change in diet—especially an increase in rich, sugary grass.
Why Grass Changes Matter
Grass isn’t the same all year round. Its nutritional content fluctuates with the seasons, weather, and management. Here’s what you need to know:
- Spring & Early Summer: As temperatures rise and days get longer, grass grows rapidly and is packed with sugars (fructans). This is the highest risk period for laminitis, especially for horses and ponies prone to weight gain or with metabolic issues.
- After Rain or Frost: Sudden growth spurts after rain, or stress from overnight frosts, can also increase sugar levels in grass.
- Autumn Flush: A second risk period often occurs in autumn, when rain and cooler temperatures encourage a fresh burst of lush grass.
Who is Most at Risk?
- Ponies, natives, and cobs
- Horses with a history of laminitis
- Overweight horses
- Horses with EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) or PPID (Cushing’s Disease)
How to Reduce Laminitis Risk
- Monitor Grass Intake: Use grazing muzzles, strip grazing, or restricted turnout, especially during high-risk periods.
- Feed Low-Sugar Forage: Supplement with hay or low-calorie chaff to reduce reliance on grass.
- Regular Exercise: Keeping your horse active helps manage weight and metabolic health.
- Check Body Condition: Use a weigh tape and condition scoring to keep your horse at a healthy weight.
- Be Vigilant: Watch for early signs of laminitis—reluctance to move, heat in the hooves, or a “pottery” gait.
Managing Grass for Safer Grazing
- Avoid turning out on lush pasture after rain or frost.
- Turn out early in the morning or late evening when grass sugar levels are lower.
- Rotate and rest paddocks to avoid overgrazing and allow grass to recover.
- Test your pasture for sugar content if you have ongoing concerns.
Supporting Your Horse with the Right Products
At Chestnut Mill, we offer a range of feeds, supplements, and management tools to help you keep your horse healthy and reduce laminitis risk.
Explore our horse feeds and supplements for low-sugar options, and check out our guides on horse nutrition.
Explore our horse feeds and supplements for low-sugar options, and check out our guides on horse nutrition.
Remember: Prevention is always better than cure. By understanding how grass changes affect laminitis risk, you can make simple adjustments to your horse’s routine and grazing—helping them stay happy, healthy, and sound.