# Laminitis in Horses — Quick answer

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-laminitis-uk): Laminitis in Horses — Quick answer. Laminitis is painful inflammation of the hoof laminae and affects roughly 1 in 10 UK horses each year. According to the British Horse Society, watch for reluctance to turn, stiff gait, hoof heat and a pounding digital pulse — and call your equine vet immediately. There is no safe season; prevention matters year-round.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-laminitis-uk): Laminitis in Horses — What is laminitis?. Laminitis damages the sensitive laminae that anchor the pedal bone inside the hoof. When blood supply fails, the bond weakens and the pedal bone can rotate or sink — causing severe pain and permanent damage. According to the British Horse Society, laminitis progresses through subclinical, acute and chronic stages. Catching signs early gives the best chance of recovery.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-laminitis-uk): Laminitis in Horses — Signs of laminitis. Subtle early signs - Reluctance to turn or pick up feet - Shortened or stiffened stride - Shifting weight from foot to foot - Preference for soft ground over hard or stony surfaces - Change in temperament - Heat at the hoof wall or coronet - Strong, increased digital pulse (feel behind the fetlock) ### Visible hoof changes (often chronic) - Rings on the hoof wall wider at the heel - Groove above the coronet band - Bruising on the sole in front of the frog - Rocked-back stance to offload front feet (not present in every case)

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-laminitis-uk): Laminitis in Horses — Emergency first steps. 1. Call your equine vet immediately 2. Stable on deep soft bedding — shavings or sand reduce pressure 3. Remove from grass and restrict hard feed until vet assessment 4. Do not force walking on hard ground 5. Ice or cold hosing only if your vet advises — follow their protocol Laminitis is a welfare emergency. Delay increases the risk of permanent hoof damage.

PETHEALTH+ (https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-laminitis-uk): Laminitis in Horses — Common causes in the UK. | Risk factor | Why it matters | |-------------|----------------| | Spring/autumn grass | High sugar content triggers insulin response | | Obesity | Major risk factor in native ponies | | Grass cuttings | Sudden diet change — never feed lawn mowings over the fence | | Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) | Underlying endocrine disease in older horses | | Equine metabolic syndrome | Insulin dysregulation in good-doers | According to the BHS, grass cuttings are a serious laminitis and colic risk — warn neighbours never to dump garden waste in horse fields.

Source: https://pethealth.org.uk/health/horse-laminitis-uk