Companion Animal Welfare

Horse Nutritional Management and Metabolic Welfare

Equine metabolic syndrome and laminitis are nutritionally driven conditions causing chronic welfare harm, largely preventable through appropriate diet and management.

Key Facts

Equine metabolic syndrome affects an estimated 11-30% of horse and pony populations
High non-structural carbohydrate diets trigger insulin dysregulation and laminitis risk
Laminitis causes chronic painful inflammation of the laminae supporting the pedal bone
Grass management, soaking hay and using muzzles reduces dietary sugar intake
Breed predisposition includes native ponies, Arabians and warmbloods

Welfare Considerations

Equine metabolic welfare is a growing problem as horse populations are increasingly kept in conditions incompatible with their ancestral low-sugar grass environment. Laminitis from metabolic dysfunction causes severe chronic pain. Dietary management is highly effective at prevention when applied consistently.

What You Can Do

Test hay for non-structural carbohydrate content for at-risk horses and ponies
Use a grazing muzzle during periods of high grass sugar to prevent laminitis
Work with your vet to develop a metabolic management plan for affected horses