Laminitis Alert!

Well, I’m not complaining about April so far. We’ve had a weekend of lovely weather, birds singing happily in the trees and a visit from a family with two teenage girls who like riding our horses and ponies. The only blot on this idyllic landscape is the lush, green grass shooting out of the earth. A sudden flush of grass is a major warning… Laminitis!

We’ve got a horse and a pony here who have both suffered bouts of laminitis, a crippling condition which is supposed to be as painful for equines as it is for humans to walk around all day in shoes one size too small. The fructans (sugars) in grass are particularly dangerous for native breeds and overweight horses and ponies. Equines who have suffered from laminitis in the past will easily get it again, even if they don’t look overweight, so be on the look out now. If the grass on your lawn is growing rapidly, be extra vigilent.

Exercise and diet are very important. Restrict hours of grazing, avoiding early morning when fructans in grass are high. Keep laminitis candidates in sand arenas to walk around or on bare fields. Feed hay instead and high fibre chops to give them enough fibre. If at all possible, ride or loose lunge horses and ponies to keep them exercised and fit as this really helps to keep the dreaded condition at bay.

Above all, if your horse or pony looks at all stiff, bring him in immediately and keep off grass until he is able to move freely again. Laminitis is a serious, life threatening condition. Don’t worry unnecessarily as many of us hope well with it but always call the vet if you haven’t dealt with it before.

A big thank you to all who helped us with suggestions. You can read their helpful hints here on our new page which is devoted to dealing with laminitis.