Laminitis is an inflammation of the lamellae in the hoof that increases sharply in summer due to sugar-rich pasture grass. It is an emergency: every hour counts at the first signs. This article explains how laminitis develops, how to detect it early and how to reduce the risk with smart pasture management and targeted nutrition.
What is laminitis exactly?
In the hoof, the lamellae connect the coffin bone to the hoof wall. In laminitis, these lamellae become inflamed and weakened. In severe cases, the coffin bone loses its anchor and tilts or sinks, causing permanent damage. The condition is painful and can make a horse lame within days.
Most summer cases do not start in the hoof itself but in the gut and metabolism. Too much sugar and fructans from young, fast-growing grass disrupt the gut flora. This releases inflammatory mediators that travel through the bloodstream and attack the sensitive lamellae in the hoof.
Symptoms of laminitis
- Stiff, cautious gait, especially on hard or stony ground
- The typical 'sawhorse stance': front legs forward, weight shifted back
- Warm hooves and a palpable pulse at the coronary band
- Unwillingness to move, turn or lift a foot
- Lying down more than usual
- Pressure sensitivity when examined with hoof testers
If you notice several of these signs at once, call your vet immediately and remove the horse from grass. Laminitis is not a condition to wait out.
Why summer is the peak season
Grass produces sugars under sunlight and stores them as fructan. On sunny days after cold nights, typically in late spring and summer, fructan levels can spike sharply. A horse that grazes unlimited during this period receives a sugar overload that burdens the hindgut. Ponies, older horses and animals with overweight or EMS (equine metabolic syndrome) are particularly at risk.
The role of gut and metabolism
A healthy gut flora absorbs fluctuations in the diet. When the flora is disrupted by excess sugar, the pH in the large intestine drops and beneficial bacteria die off. This releases toxins and inflammatory mediators that damage the lamellae in the hoof. A stable gut and a well-functioning liver are therefore the foundation of laminitis prevention. Read also our article on gut health in horses for broader context.
Prevention: getting through the season safely
Limit grazing time during risk periods. Avoid grazing on sunny days after cold nights, when fructan levels are highest. Let the horse graze early in the morning rather than in the afternoon.
Use a grazing muzzle. A well-fitting grazing muzzle reduces grass intake by half to three quarters without removing the horse from the pasture.
Keep weight under control. Overweight is the biggest risk factor. A horse with a thick neck crest and fat deposits behind the shoulders has an elevated laminitis risk. Exercise daily and weigh the feed ration.
Choose fibre-rich, low-sugar forage. Have hay analysed if necessary or soak it to reduce sugar content, and supplement with straw for extra structure.
Which support helps
Liver and metabolic support. Tonic supports the liver, which quickly becomes overloaded with high feed rations and sugar excess. A well-functioning liver processes waste products more efficiently and reduces the inflammatory baseline, which is an important prevention goal for at-risk horses.
Gut and pH balance. pH+ supports the acid balance and gut flora, exactly where a laminitis attack often begins. By keeping the hindgut stable, you better absorb sugar spikes. Give this preferably structurally during the grazing season, not only after the first symptoms appear.
Avoid doping-sensitive painkillers in competition horses. Some anti-inflammatory herbs are on the FEI prohibited list. Read our article on FEI doping-free supplements for safe selection.
When to call the vet
Call your vet immediately when:
- Your horse suddenly becomes lame or refuses to move
- The hooves are warm and the pulse at the coronary band is throbbing
- The horse adopts the typical sawhorse stance
- Previous laminitis returns, even with mild signs
The vet assesses the severity, prescribes pain relief and anti-inflammatory treatment and advises on orthopaedic shoeing or box rest. Rapid treatment is decisive for recovery and prevents permanent damage to the coffin bone.
Conclusion
Laminitis is largely preventable. Smart pasture management, weight control and a stable gut together form the best protection. Begin prevention at the start of the grazing season, not at the first symptoms, and think in seasons: summer requires extra vigilance. Support the liver and gut structurally, and remove your horse from grass immediately if in doubt.
Browse more articles in our knowledge base or read on about the role of the gut in horses.