10/06/2026
WATCH OUT, LAMINITIS IS STILL ABOUT!
Lately I've been working with a number of horse owners whose horse or pony has contracted laminitis.
With the continued rain and mild temperatures, grass growth is going to be significant! So we need to take care.
Ideally we need to take action BEFORE they get laminitis, so if you think your horse or pony might be at risk, take action. You won't do them any harm by implementing a laminitis-control diet if they aren't prone, but you will avoid a painful, debilitating disease or potentially even save their life if they are.
If your horse or pony has been diagnosed with or is at risk of laminitis, the key metabolic factors to assess/adjust are:
1. Body f4t levels - being slim helps manage the insulin dysregulation (ID) that is associated with most cases of diet-induced laminitis.
Body f4t doesn't necessarily cause ID but it does drive it, and we need more research to understand how body fat and ID are linked - until then, getting and keeping them slim is recommended (plus this has a number of other healthy benefits)
2. Controlling dietary intake of starch, sugar and forage fructan (NSC) - to help reduce the elevated insulin levels (hyperinsulinaemia) which are linked to laminitis risk (NSC is non structural carbs - includes starch, sugar, fructan) Please do not ignore fructan - it IS involved! This means restricting grass intake, and potentially soaking/ restricting hay and/or replacing some with lower calorie alternatives
3. Exercise - plenty, to help with insulin dysregulation and calorie balance, amongst other healthy effects (but only if sound - take your vet's advice if you are unsure)
4. Well balanced diet (inc. enough vits/mins and essential amino acids) - essential for keeping them healthy and well and supporting recovery
I've had a few cases of owners who've tried to help their EMS and/or laminitics with supplementation (of various things including supra-optimal intake of specific minerals), without enough adjustment of body fat and forage intake and also exercise.
These have been unsuccessful, sadly.
Be holistic! Look at every factor and be open minded. There are many great and useful supplements available but the fact they are being sold for profit makes the company biased towards them. That in itself may not be a problem but just be aware of it.
The cross in the picture doesn't mean not to use supplements - just that the other factors are much, much more important (and you might be feeding a vitamin and mineral supplement)
If you want help with feeding equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), insulin dysregulation (ID), hyperinsulinaemia-associated laminitis (HAL) and laminitis-prone horse or ponies, I have an on demand webinar available... just comment metabolism and I'll send you a DM right away,
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