Horse Laminitis: Prevention and Welfare Management of a Painful Condition

Laminitis is an excruciatingly painful inflammatory condition of the horse's hooves and one of the most common causes of horse suffering in domestic settings.

Key Facts

Laminitis involves inflammation and disruption of the sensitive laminae that attach the pedal bone to the hoof wall
In severe cases the pedal bone rotates or sinks within the hoof capsule — a potentially career-ending injury
It is most commonly triggered by diet (excess carbohydrates/grass sugar), hormonal conditions, or systemic illness
Ponies, native breeds, and horses with equine metabolic syndrome or PPID are at highest risk
Signs include heat in the hooves, a bounding digital pulse, and a characteristic "camped out" stance
Laminitis is the second most common cause of euthanasia in horses after colic

Welfare Considerations

Laminitis causes severe, often chronic pain that is difficult to fully control. Horses with active laminitis show pain behaviours including reluctance to move, shifting weight, and profound depression. Chronic laminitis — recurring episodes over months or years — causes lasting structural damage and ongoing pain management challenges. Prevention is far more welfare-friendly than treatment: dietary management, weight control, restricted grazing during peak grass growth, and hormonal management for at-risk individuals. Welfare-centred laminitis management prioritises evidence-based pain relief, appropriate farriery, and transparent quality of life assessment.

What You Can Do

Restrict grazing during spring and autumn when grass sugar content is highest for at-risk horses
Maintain appropriate body weight — obesity is a major risk factor for laminitis
Test horses with recurring laminitis for PPID and equine metabolic syndrome
Have a veterinary laminitis action plan ready before an episode occurs
Consult a qualified farrier with laminitis experience — hoof support is crucial for recovery