Avoiding Laminitis This Spring: Prevention & Care Guide

In the UK, our unpredictable climate ushers in rapid seasonal changes, with heavy rainfall quickly replaced by sunny spells. As spring blooms and summer nears, lush green fields may seem a welcome sight, but for owners of ponies and horses prone to laminitis, this season presents serious challenges.

Laminitis, a painful and complex condition affecting the hoof, often flares up due to spring grass. Following wet winters and mild early spring weather, grass grows rapidly, providing horses with sugary pastures that can trigger laminitis if consumed excessively.

The good news is that with informed, responsible care, laminitic horses can live full, happy lives. This guide outlines practical steps to understand, prevent, and manage laminitis risks during the critical spring period.

What Is Laminitis?

Laminitis arises from inflammation in the sensitive laminae inside the hoof. These laminae fasten the pedal bone to the hoof wall, supporting your horse's weight as it moves. When blood flow to this area is impaired, inflammation causes extreme pain, tissue damage, and in severe cases, structural changes where the pedal bone can rotate or sink, sometimes breaking through the sole.

Typically affecting the front feet but possible in all four, laminitis signs are usually obvious: lameness, reluctance to move, difficulty standing up if resting, and sometimes a noticeable digital pulse or heat in the hoof. Affected horses may redistribute weight awkwardly to relieve pain.

8 Practical Steps to Prevent Laminitis This Spring

1. Restrict Grazing Time and Area: Limit your horse's access to spring grass, which is high in sugars. Use methods like fencing small 'strip grazed' areas or implementing track grazing. Grazing muzzles can also reduce intake while allowing natural behaviours and exercise. Electric fencing protects boundaries more effectively.
2. Use a Grazing Muzzle Correctly: Ensure the muzzle fits well to prevent rubbing and irritation. Padding with sheepskin or soft material can help. Avoid prolonged use to prevent frustration; newer designs like the Greenguard muzzle can offer better comfort and functionality.
3. Transition Diets Gradually: Whether changing feed or pasture, introduce changes slowly over 4–6 days. Sudden dietary shifts alter gut bacteria, increasing toxin risks that may trigger laminitis.
4. Avoid Grazing on Frosty Grass: Frost concentrates fructans (sugars) in grass, posing a higher laminitis risk. Keep ponies off pasture during frosty or dewy mornings until the grass dries and warms up.
5. Maintain Healthy Weight and Exercise: Prevent overweight by monitoring body condition with a weight tape and regular checks of fat deposits, especially around the crest, withers, and rump. A consistent, gradual exercise regime not only keeps your horse fit but supports metabolic health and can reduce laminitis risk.
6. Provide Soaked Hay and Avoid Sugary Forage: Complement limited grazing with soaked hay to reduce sugar content, especially with new cuttings. Soak nets for at least 12 hours, rinsing to remove residual sugars. Use multiple small nets throughout the day for enrichment and to slow consumption.
7. Stable Bedding Choices: If your horse tends to eat its bedding due to restricted feeding, avoid straw as it contains unwanted nutrients. Choose shavings, paper or pellets for comfort and safety.
8. Prevent Hoof Trauma and Ensure Farriery Care: Avoid riding or jumping on hard ground to reduce concussion. Regular trimming and remedial shoeing by your farrier help balance weight distribution and detect early hoof issues supporting health.

Continued Vigilance Beyond Spring

Laminitis risk can peak again in autumn but can occur any time. Ongoing management is essential: continuous monitoring, responsible feeding, exercise, and professional consultations keep your horse comfortable and lower future laminitis episodes. Prompt action at the first signs can prevent progression and improve recovery outcomes.

By following these steps and applying knowledge from current UK veterinary guidance, you foster long-term health and wellbeing for your beloved equine companion through spring and beyond.