Laminitis: A Real Risk

Laminitis (also known as 'founder') can only happen when your horse gets into the feed bin and eats to much grain, right?  Wrong!  Many horses develop laminitis from simply being on pasture.  But knowledge is power in this case--you can help to prevent laminitis before it happens.  Not every horse is at risk, but typically, your overweight, 'easy-keepers' are more likely to become laminitic.  Ponies and small horse breeds are also at higher risk.

Spring and fall are the worst times of the year for full-time pasture grazing because these are the seasons when sugars are at their highest in the grasses.  Also, remember that process you learned about in middle school called 'photosynthesis'?  Well, it plays a part in laminitis, too.  During the day, plants convert carbon dioxide into sugar using the sun's energy.  The sugar in plants is highest in late afternoon/early evening on a sunny day. 

So what should you do to prevent laminitis from occurring in your horse?  Horses that aren't exercised consistently or are overweight can be kept in a dry lot (no grass) during the daylight hours (and fed hay) and then grazed at night when sugars are at their lowest.  You can also limit grazing during the spring and fall.  Another option is a grazing muzzle.  I use these with several of my horses.  The muzzle allows them to graze through a small hole and limits their grass intake.   The muzzles take a little getting used to and they may not be for every horse, but it's a good option if your horse will tolerate it--that way they can still be 'out and about' with their buddies. 

There are tons of great websites where you can get more information on laminitis.  A great one is safergrass.org.  Laminitis can be quite serious and many horses are put down because of it.   An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, though.  You can take precautions before it happens to your horse.  Educate yourself and your horse will thank you!

Ta-ta!