Laminitis is a painful inflammation inside the sensitive tissue (laminae) of the hoof. It is more common in ponies and good doers, though increasingly seen in horses too. As with any disease, prevention is always better than attempting a cure.
Here are our TOP TIPS to help minimise the risk of Laminitis in your horse or pony:
1 - Feed a calorie-controlled diet and provide exercise where possible to maintain a healthy weight:
Excess calories are stored as fat and can lead to insulin resistance, which may trigger Laminitis over time. Overweight ponies and horses are more susceptible to Laminitis.
2 - Make dietary changes gradually, especially limiting grass intake:
Sudden changes in diet disrupts the digestive system and can trigger an onset of Laminitis as toxins are released into the bloodstream. For example, moving your horse directly from a heavily grazed winter paddock to a fresh summer field can spike their calorie intake and sugar levels, causing digestive upset. Introduce them to the new field slowly, starting with an hour or two at a time, and increase the duration over a week. If possible, strip graze the field too.
3 - Restrict calories, not forage:
While reducing calories is important, horses need constant access to forage. To maintain their forage intake without compromising their health, soak hay, use small-holed hay nets, muzzle them in the field, or strip graze. Consider offering up to 30% of their forage as high-quality straw, a great low-calorie source of fibre. Always ensure access to fresh, clean water.
4 - Ensure balanced nutrition:
Horses on restricted diets will lack essential nutrients. Hay does not retain nutrition when dried or soaked, so supplementing with a balancer is crucial to provide the necessary vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients.
5 - Support gut health:
High-quality probiotics help replenish gut microflora, which aids nutrient absorption and supports the horse’s ability to adapt to fluctuations in grass quality.
6 - Provide antioxidants:
Antioxidants reduce free radicals in the gut, helping to minimise damage and inflammation.
7 - Promote hoof health from the inside and outside:
Since Laminitis can affect both the hoof horn and internal structures, maintaining hoof health through good nutrition, correct farriery and topical treatments is essential.
8 - Reduce acid passing into the hindgut (through forage provision and a balanced diet with digestive support):
Excess acid in the hindgut can harm beneficial bacteria and allow toxins to pass through the gut walls, potentially triggering a Laminitis episode.
9 - Monitor for metabolic issues such as Insulin Resistance (IR) or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS):
Horses with metabolic disorders are more prone to Laminitis. Know the signs, such as excessive weight, difficulty losing weight or areas of fatty deposits such as "cresty neck". Other signs include: increased appetite, sweating without exertion, decreased energy and/or performance and frequent or increased urination.
10 - Use a Feed Balancer:
Consult with your own vet about using a suitable feed balancer to ensure your pony/horse is supported safely with essential nutrients without excess sugars and starches, which could worsen metabolic disorders.
We formulated our Lami Light feed balancer specifically for horses prone to Laminitis. It includes:
- Plenty of fibre to keep the digestive system moving
- Antioxidants to reduce free radicals
- Prebiotics, probiotics, and nucleotides to promote healthy gut microflora
- Sepiolite clay to reduce acid in the hindgut
- MSM to reduce inflammation
