Laminitis Prevention: Evidence-Based Welfare Management

Laminitis is one of the most painful and debilitating conditions affecting horses and ponies, and is largely preventable through evidence-based management of diet, body condition, and underlying endocrine disease.

Key Facts

Laminitis involves inflammation and disruption of the laminar tissue connecting the pedal bone to the hoof wall
Grass laminitis caused by excess carbohydrate intake is the most common form
Equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) are major risk factors
Severe laminitis can result in rotation or sinking of the pedal bone within the hoof capsule
Recurrent laminitis is the leading cause of equine euthanasia on welfare grounds in the UK

Welfare Considerations

Laminitis causes excruciating foot pain; affected horses and ponies are reluctant to move, adopt a characteristic leaning-back posture, and show elevated digital pulses. The pain is severe enough to warrant strong analgesia. Chronic laminitis causes structural changes within the hoof that cause ongoing discomfort even between acute episodes. The condition is largely preventable through grazing management, body condition control, and testing for endocrine disease in at-risk animals. Owner education about risk factors and early recognition of warning signs are the most important welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Implement grazing restriction for good-doer horses and ponies, particularly in spring and autumn
Manage body condition score, aiming for 4.5-5 out of 9 in laminitis-prone animals
Test ponies and older horses for PPID and equine metabolic syndrome to identify treatable risk factors
Learn the early warning signs of laminitis and seek veterinary attention before full-blown acute episodes develop