We’ve been very lucky as horse owners this summer, with relatively few cases of laminitis compared to what we often expect. However, as many of you will now have discovered, it’s starting to come back to bite us. The grass is green, it is (unusually) very sugary, and there is far more of it than we would expect for this time of year.
Over the last few weeks, we have seen a noticeable increase in laminitis cases. Until the weather gets significantly colder and the grass finally dies off, we are unfortunately likely to see many more.
Laminitis – More Than Just Diet
There is still a lot of misunderstanding around laminitis, particularly when it comes to diet. Laminitis is not simply caused by feeding too much. It is an endocrine (hormone-based) disease. That said, grass that is high in sugar can be the trigger that tips vulnerable horses and ponies over the edge into a laminitic episode.
When animals already have high levels of body fat, the sudden intake of sugary grass can worsen insulin dysregulation within the body, leading to inflammation and damage within the laminae of the hoof. So while grass doesn’t “cause” laminitis on its own, it can absolutely be the final push.
EMS and Cushing’s – The Underlying Causes
There has been a lot of discussion on social media recently about how diet doesn’t cause laminitis. This is partly true. The vast majority of laminitis cases are caused by one of two underlying hormonal conditions:
- Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
- Cushing’s disease (PPID – Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction)
Both conditions affect how the body handles sugar and insulin. Horses with EMS or PPID are far more sensitive to dietary sugars, particularly those found in grass, even when intake seems modest.
Every Horse Is an Individual
As humans, we all come in different shapes and sizes, and our equine companions are exactly the same. Some of us are naturally built to gain weight easily and hold onto fat – often referred to as “good doers”. Certain breeds of horses and ponies share this trait and are therefore at a much higher risk of developing laminitis.
Native breeds, cobs, and ponies in particular are incredibly efficient at surviving on very little. In modern management, with rich grazing and reduced workloads, this efficiency can unfortunately work against them.
What Can You Do?
- Monitor body condition closely – subtle weight gain can be easy to miss.
- Restrict grass intake where necessary (track systems, grazing muzzles, or limited turnout).
- Be cautious in autumn – cool nights and sunny days make grass especially high in sugar.
- Watch for early signs – pottery steps, shifting weight, reluctance to turn, or heat in the feet.
- Speak to your vet – testing for EMS or PPID can be life-changing for at-risk horses.
Laminitis is a painful, serious condition, but with early recognition and good management, many cases can be prevented or caught before becoming severe. If you’re worried about your horse or pony, or would like advice on managing laminitis risk, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Little Rock Equine Vets.
Early action really does make all the difference.
If you have any concerns about what has been discussed in this blog, please feel free to call us on 01782 898102 – we are here and happy to talk over concerns at any stage.