Horse Laminitis Welfare and Dietary Management

Laminitis is one of the most painful and debilitating conditions in horses, causing damage to the sensitive structures of the hoof. Prevention through dietary management is the primary welfare strategy.

Key Facts

Laminitis involves inflammation of the laminae that bond the pedal bone to the hoof wall
In severe cases, the pedal bone rotates or sinks (founder), penetrating the sole - an excruciating welfare emergency
Contributing factors include high-sugar grass (fructans), obesity, Cushing disease, and systemic inflammation
Ponies, native breeds, and overweight horses are at highest risk during spring and autumn grass sugar peaks
Treatment requires strict box rest, appropriate pain management with NSAIDs, and corrective farriery
Chronic laminitis management involves controlled grazing, low-sugar diet, regular farriery, and weight management
Digital pulse assessment and hoof temperature monitoring allow early detection before severe lameness develops

Welfare Considerations

Laminitis welfare significance is extreme - full rotation or sinking founder causes some of the most severe pain experienced by any domestic animal. Prevention is overwhelmingly preferable to treatment: monitoring risk factors, managing body condition, restricting spring grass access for susceptible horses, and addressing PPID early all reduce laminitis risk substantially. Once laminitis occurs, immediate NSAID pain relief is welfare-critical rather than optional. Long-term management of chronic laminitis requires veterinary, farriery, and nutritional expertise working in combination. Quality-of-life assessment using pain scoring tools is essential for horses with repeated laminitis episodes to guide end-of-life decisions.

What You Can Do

Learn to identify laminitis early: heat in feet, reluctance to move, rocking back stance
Act immediately if laminitis is suspected - call your vet that day for pain management advice
Restrict spring and autumn grazing for ponies and native breeds on high-risk pasture
Maintain healthy body condition in all horses - obesity is the primary modifiable risk factor
Establish a relationship with an equine vet and farrier experienced in laminitis management
Have horses over 15 tested for PPID as a laminitis risk factor regardless of other signs