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What is Laminitis?

Cause and management

Laminitis is an inflammation of the hoof laminae, the soft tissue structures that attach the pedal bone to the hoof wall. It occurs when blood flow to these laminae is disrupted.

Inflammation often permanently weakens the laminae and damages the wall/bone bond.

Laminitis is a veterinary emergency; it is very painful, and the sooner treatment begins the better prospect of recovery. Always consult your vet immediately if you suspect laminitis.

As there are many causes of laminitis, treatment begins with a vet diagnosing the specific cause of the case. They will usually remove the horse from the pasture and analyse their diet.

Ongoing management includes low NSC forage, vitamin and mineral supplementation, safe calories if horse is under weight, avoiding pasture and cereal grains, and if horse is sound, daily exercise to boost metabolism, control body condition, and assist with insulin sensitivity.

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Spring Feeding

Spring Feeding and Insulin Resistance

As the days lengthen in spring, increased sunlight prompts pastures to enter a growth phase. However, in many areas, nights are still cool, which means that sugars produced by the grass may be stored rather than used for growth. This can create problems for our IR or laminitis susceptible horses. Coupled with unpredictable weather in spring and rapid grass growth, pasture can be a risky option for many horses.

It is recommended that overweight, obese and IR horses have limited or controlled access to pasture during spring and are provided with a tested low sugar hay. Horses with IR should not have any pasture access.

Muzzles are a great tool with overweight horses to allow some grazing time and exercise. They should also receive a balanced and safe ration containing adequate vitamins and minerals. As every horse is different, we recommend consulting an equine nutritionist to ensure your at-risk horse is receiving the best diet for their individual situation.

Laminitis Season

Help your horse quit sugar

Horses are naturally drawn to the sweet temptation of green grass during spring. However, the high sugar content can lead to insulin spikes, and rapid weight gain. We recommend giving ‘susceptible’ horses a low-sugar, low-starch, high fibre diet to help break their sugar habit and keep them healthy during spring.

Consider feeding your overweight horses a vitamin and mineral supplement like Barastoc Stud Balancer or Barastoc Groom with some chaff, or those requiring a little more condition, a pellet like Barastoc Calm Performer. This will allow them to maintain intakes of sufficient nutrients such as vital vitamins and minerals and at the same time reduce the calories consumed.

One of the most important tools to prevent the onset of laminitis is daily exercise. Provided your horse is sound, exercise will burn calories and improve insulin dysregulation in susceptible horses.

Find out more

What is Laminitis?

Cause and management

Laminitis is an inflammation of the hoof laminae, the soft tissue structures that attach the pedal bone to the hoof wall. It occurs when blood flow to these laminae is disrupted.

Inflammation often permanently weakens the laminae and damages the wall/bone bond.

Laminitis is a veterinary emergency; it is very painful, and the sooner treatment begins the better prospect of recovery. Always consult your vet immediately if you suspect laminitis.

As there are many causes of laminitis, treatment begins with a vet diagnosing the specific cause of the case. They will usually remove the horse from the pasture and analyse their diet.

Ongoing management includes low NSC forage, vitamin and mineral supplementation, safe calories if horse is under weight, avoiding pasture and cereal grains, and if horse is sound, daily exercise to boost metabolism, control body condition, and assist with insulin sensitivity.

Watch Now

Spring Feeding

Spring Feeding and Insulin Resistance

As the days lengthen in spring, increased sunlight prompts pastures to enter a growth phase. However, in many areas, nights are still cool, which means that sugars produced by the grass may be stored rather than used for growth. This can create problems for our IR or laminitis susceptible horses. Coupled with unpredictable weather in spring and rapid grass growth, pasture can be a risky option for many horses.

It is recommended that overweight, obese and IR horses have limited or controlled access to pasture during spring and are provided with a tested low sugar hay. Horses with IR should not have any pasture access.

Muzzles are a great tool with overweight horses to allow some grazing time and exercise. They should also receive a balanced and safe ration containing adequate vitamins and minerals. As every horse is different, we recommend consulting an equine nutritionist to ensure your at-risk horse is receiving the best diet for their individual situation.

Laminitis Season

Help your horse quit sugar

Horses are naturally drawn to the sweet temptation of green grass during spring. However, the high sugar content can lead to insulin spikes, and rapid weight gain. We recommend giving ‘susceptible’ horses a low-sugar, low-starch, high fibre diet to help break their sugar habit and keep them healthy during spring.

Consider feeding your overweight horses a vitamin and mineral supplement like Barastoc Stud Balancer or Barastoc Groom with some chaff, or those requiring a little more condition, a pellet like Barastoc Calm Performer. This will allow them to maintain intakes of sufficient nutrients such as vital vitamins and minerals and at the same time reduce the calories consumed.

One of the most important tools to prevent the onset of laminitis is daily exercise. Provided your horse is sound, exercise will burn calories and improve insulin dysregulation in susceptible horses.

Find out more

What is Laminitis?

Cause and management

Laminitis is an inflammation of the hoof laminae, the soft tissue structures that attach the pedal bone to the hoof wall. It occurs when blood flow to these laminae is disrupted.

Inflammation often permanently weakens the laminae and damages the wall/bone bond.

Laminitis is a veterinary emergency; it is very painful, and the sooner treatment begins the better prospect of recovery. Always consult your vet immediately if you suspect laminitis.

As there are many causes of laminitis, treatment begins with a vet diagnosing the specific cause of the case. They will usually remove the horse from the pasture and analyse their diet.

Ongoing management includes low NSC forage, vitamin and mineral supplementation, safe calories if horse is under weight, avoiding pasture and cereal grains, and if horse is sound, daily exercise to boost metabolism, control body condition, and assist with insulin sensitivity.

Watch Now

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