Forage first, right? When it comes to horses' diet it’s no secret that they thrive off a primarily forage based regimen. A horse’s daily forage intake can range anywhere between 50-100% and can vary in its source. No matter if your horse is consuming grass or hay it’s important to be aware of the type and quality of the forage your horse is consuming. In order to save money and emulate the most natural grazing behavior in your horse, most owners work to provide an abundance of quality pasture. We all have heard the benefits, but are there cons to too much pasture? Let’s find out.

Laminitis is a condition of the hoof where the structures and tissues within the hoof swell. This tissue is what connects the hoof wall to the coffin bone causing intense pain. [2] The level of intensity is dependent on many factors and can be manageable for some and life threatening for others. While laminitis or founder can affect any horse, it can especially affect certain breeds including Quarter Horses, Tennessee Walking Horses and Morgans. In addition, the majority of pony breeds are susceptible to developing laminitis. [1] Overweight or “easy keepers” and horses with metabolic syndrome have also been known to founder more easily than most horses. [3]

Even the smallest exposure to high sugar grass can manifest crippling conditions for some horses. If you’re concerned that your horse may be showing signs of laminitis or have a horse who is more susceptible to developing the condition in the future, it is always recommended to consult with your veterinarian in order to diagnose and take the appropriate preventative measures.

Unfortunately, since there is no cure for laminitis, management is everything. As always, consulting with your veterinarian should be the first step in determining the degree of the condition before coming up with a treatment plan. Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs or NSAID’s have been shown to be successful in managing any pain and discomfort. Some commonly used NSAID’s include phenylbutazone or ‘bute' and flunixin. In more serious cases, opiates have been prescribed. [4]

Another important management protocol is developing a plan with your farrier to better support your horse's feet. Since laminitis causes pain and discomfort in the feet, different types of shoeing including the implementation of pads and frog support can help take the pressure off the feet and limit mobility of the pedal bone. [4]

Depending on the severity of the condition, some horses may never benefit from grazing on grass again given their sensitivity to the high fructans found in the grass.. In this case, these horses could benefit from being fed an appropriate low sugar forage and turned out on a dry lot. If your horse has minor symptoms or is susceptible to developing laminitis in the future, implementing a grazing muzzle or limiting overall pasture time can be beneficial.

Another idea to consider is the time of day your horse is grazing. Grass and plants typically store sugars during daylight hours or during times of stress such as temperatures below 40 degrees fahrenheit or during a drought. If you're worried about your horse developing laminitis or worsening their already existing condition, turning out during low risk hours of the day can cause symptoms to subside and serve as a great preventative measures for those susceptible to developing laminitis. [2]

References

[1] https://ker.com/equinews/guard-horses-dangers-fresh-grass/

[2] https://extension.psu.edu/basic-pasture-management-for-the-equine-owner

[3] https://extension.umn.edu/horse-nutrition/grazing-horses-prone-laminitis

[4] https://www.rvc.ac.uk/equine-vet/information-and-advice/fact-files/laminitis#:~:text=Laminitis%20is%20a%20medical%20emergency,opiates%20like%20morphine%20and%20pethidine.