Horse Health
Laminitis in Horses
By Kaiser Khan, EditorPublished Last updated 3 min read
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.
Key takeaways
- No. The British Horse Society warns there is no safe season — laminitis can occur year-round, especially in overweight ponies and good-doers on rich grass or after sudden diet changes.
- Call your equine vet immediately. Keep the horse on deep soft bedding, restrict movement on hard ground, and remove access to grass until your vet advises. Do not force exercise.
A wider perspective: working-horse welfare and ways to help from the non-profit World Animal Rescue Network.
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.
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)
Emergency first steps
- Call your equine vet immediately
- Stable on deep soft bedding — shavings or sand reduce pressure
- Remove from grass and restrict hard feed until vet assessment
- Do not force walking on hard ground
- 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.
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.
Prevention
- Weight management — body condition score regularly; restrict grazing for good-doers
- Grazing control — strip grazing, track systems, or limited turnout on lush pasture
- Gradual diet changes — introduce new forage over 1–2 weeks
- Regular farriery — balanced hooves reduce mechanical stress
- Vet checks — test older horses for PPID; discuss metabolic risk with your vet
Spring grass management alone is not enough — monitor overweight ponies year-round.
Treatment
Your vet will assess gait, hoof heat, digital pulse and pain response. X-rays may show pedal bone rotation. Treatment includes pain relief, strict diet, corrective trimming or shoeing, and deep bedding. Severe cases need specialist hospital care.
Chronic laminitis horses remain at high risk of future episodes — lifelong management is usually required.
When to call the vet
Immediately for any suspected laminitis sign — even mild reluctance to turn on hard ground. Early intervention prevents catastrophic hoof damage.
Sources & further reading
This guide draws on the publicly available UK advice listed below. Follow the links for the relevant guidance or the organisation's broader care resources.
PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Editorial sources and further reading (last updated 2026-06-25).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the first signs of laminitis?
- Reluctance to turn, shortened stride, shifting weight between feet, preference for soft ground, heat at the hoof wall, and a strong digital pulse. According to the BHS, subtle signs are often missed until pain is severe.
- Is laminitis only a spring problem?
- No. The British Horse Society warns there is no safe season — laminitis can occur year-round, especially in overweight ponies and good-doers on rich grass or after sudden diet changes.
- What should I do if I suspect laminitis?
- Call your equine vet immediately. Keep the horse on deep soft bedding, restrict movement on hard ground, and remove access to grass until your vet advises. Do not force exercise.