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Horse Laminitis
Risk Scorer

Q: What breeds are most prone to laminitis?

Breeds most prone to laminitis include ponies (particularly native breeds such as Welsh, Shetland, and New Forest), Warmbloods, Andalusians, Morgans, and Quarter Horses. These breeds are often described as 'easy keepers' and are predisposed to Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), which is a major risk factor for laminitis. Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds have lower inherent risk but can still develop laminitis from dietary or systemic triggers.

Q: What causes laminitis in horses?

Laminitis is caused by inflammation of the sensitive laminae within the hoof, which disrupts blood flow and can cause the pedal bone (coffin bone) to rotate or sink. The most common causes are: (1) Pasture-associated laminitis — triggered by high non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content in grass, particularly during spring flush, autumn regrowth, and after frost; (2) Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) — insulin dysregulation causes abnormal laminar blood flow; (3) PPID (Cushing's disease) — a pituitary tumour causing elevated ACTH and insulin resistance; (4) Grain overload — sudden access to large amounts of grain; (5) Systemic illness — including retained placenta, severe colic, and Potomac horse fever.

Q: How do I prevent laminitis in my horse?

Laminitis prevention strategies include: (1) Grazing management — restrict access to lush pasture, particularly in spring and autumn; use a grazing muzzle or dry lot; avoid grazing after frost; (2) Diet management — feed a low NSC diet; avoid grain overload; provide adequate forage; (3) Weight management — maintain a healthy body condition score of 4–5 out of 9; (4) Exercise — regular appropriate exercise improves insulin sensitivity; (5) Testing — test horses at risk for EMS and PPID annually; (6) Hoof care — regular farriery every 6–8 weeks; (7) Veterinary monitoring — annual health checks for at-risk horses.

Q: What is Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)?

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a hormonal disorder characterised by insulin dysregulation (abnormal insulin response to dietary carbohydrates), obesity or regional adiposity (particularly cresty neck, fat pads above the eyes, and rump fat), and predisposition to laminitis. EMS is most common in native pony breeds and 'easy keeper' horse breeds. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood testing (resting insulin, glucose, and ACTH). Management involves strict dietary control, exercise, and in some cases medication. Annual testing is recommended for all at-risk horses.

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Educational Purposes Only: This tool provides general laminitis risk guidance. If your horse is showing signs of laminitis, contact your local equine veterinarian immediately. Do not wait.

Equine Laminitis — A Complete Guide for Horse Owners

Laminitis is one of the most feared and misunderstood conditions in equine medicine. It is the second leading cause of death in horses after colic, yet many cases are preventable with the right management. Understanding the risk factors and early warning signs is the most powerful tool a horse owner can have.

What Is Laminitis?

Laminitis is an inflammation of the sensitive laminae — the interlocking tissue that connects the pedal bone (coffin bone) to the inner hoof wall. When the laminae become inflamed, blood flow is disrupted, and the bond between the pedal bone and hoof wall weakens. In severe cases, the pedal bone can rotate downward or sink vertically within the hoof capsule — a condition known as founder. This is exquisitely painful and can be permanently debilitating.

⚠️ If you suspect your horse has laminitis: Remove from pasture immediately. Provide deep bedding (sand or shavings) for comfort. Do not force the horse to walk. Contact your equine vet immediately — early intervention significantly improves outcomes. Do not administer NSAIDs without veterinary guidance as they can mask pain and delay diagnosis.

The Main Causes of Laminitis

🌱 Pasture-Associated Laminitis

The most common cause. Triggered by high non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) content in grass — particularly during spring flush, autumn regrowth, after frost, or during drought stress. At-risk horses should have restricted pasture access during these periods.

🩸 Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

Insulin dysregulation causes abnormal laminar blood flow. EMS horses are often overweight with a cresty neck and fat pads. Diagnosed by blood testing. Managed with strict diet, exercise, and in some cases medication.

🧠 PPID / Cushing's Disease

A pituitary tumour causing elevated ACTH and insulin resistance. Most common in horses over 15 years. Signs include a long curly coat, muscle wasting, pot belly, and increased drinking/urination. Managed with pergolide medication.

⚡ Systemic / Supporting Limb

Laminitis can also be triggered by systemic illness (retained placenta, severe colic, grain overload, Potomac horse fever) or by overloading a limb when the opposite limb is injured. These cases require intensive veterinary management.

Laminitis Risk by Breed

Breed	Inherent Risk	Primary Reason	Key Management Strategy
Native ponies (Welsh, Shetland)	Very High	EMS predisposition, evolved for sparse forage	Strict pasture restriction, low NSC diet
Warmbloods	High	EMS predisposition	Maintain ideal BCS, monitor insulin
Quarter Horse / Paint	Moderate-High	EMS predisposition	Weight management, pasture restriction
Arabian	Moderate	Insulin sensitivity	Monitor diet during high-risk seasons
Thoroughbred	Lower	Less EMS predisposition	Standard management; still at risk from systemic causes
Standardbred	Lower	Less EMS predisposition	Standard management; still at risk from dietary or systemic triggers
Stock Horse	Lower	Less EMS predisposition	Standard management; monitor diet and body condition

Annual Testing Recommended: All horses over 15 years and all horses with a history of laminitis, EMS, or a cresty neck should have annual blood testing for insulin, glucose, and ACTH (particularly in autumn when ACTH peaks in PPID horses). Contact your local equine veterinarian to arrange testing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Laminitis

Answers to the most common questions horse owners ask about laminitis prevention and management.

What breeds are most prone to laminitis?

Breeds most prone to laminitis include native ponies (Welsh, Shetland, New Forest), Warmbloods, Andalusians, Morgans, and Quarter Horses. These breeds are often 'easy keepers' predisposed to Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS). Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds have lower inherent risk but can still develop laminitis from dietary or systemic triggers.

What causes laminitis in horses?

The most common causes are: pasture-associated laminitis (high NSC grass, particularly in spring and autumn); Equine Metabolic Syndrome (insulin dysregulation); PPID/Cushing's disease (pituitary tumour causing insulin resistance); grain overload; and systemic illness. Understanding which trigger applies to your horse is essential for effective prevention.

What are the signs of laminitis in a horse?

Signs of laminitis include: lameness in one or more feet (often worse on hard ground); a 'rocking horse' stance with front feet pushed forward; increased digital pulse at the back of the fetlock; heat in the hooves; reluctance to move; and in severe cases, visible rotation of the pedal bone on X-ray. If you suspect laminitis, contact your equine vet immediately.

How do I prevent laminitis in my horse?

Prevention strategies include: restricting access to lush pasture (particularly in spring and autumn); using a grazing muzzle or dry lot for at-risk horses; feeding a low NSC diet; maintaining a healthy body condition score of 4–5 out of 9; regular appropriate exercise; annual blood testing for EMS and PPID in at-risk horses; and regular farriery every 6–8 weeks.

What is Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)?

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is characterised by insulin dysregulation, obesity or regional adiposity (cresty neck, fat pads above the eyes, rump fat), and predisposition to laminitis. Most common in native pony breeds and 'easy keeper' horses. Diagnosis is confirmed by blood testing. Management involves strict dietary control, exercise, and in some cases medication.

Dr Louise Cosgrove

BVSc · Principal Equine Veterinarian, EEVS · Regency Downs, QLD

Dr Louise Cosgrove has been riding horses since she was 4 years old and has worked exclusively with horses since graduating from the University of Queensland. As the Principal Veterinarian at EEVS in Regency Downs, QLD, she has a particular passion for metabolic disease prevention and empowering horse owners to manage laminitis risk proactively.

"Laminitis is largely preventable. The horses I see with the best outcomes are those whose owners understood the risk factors before a crisis occurred." — Dr Louise Cosgrove

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Horse Laminitis
Risk Scorer

Horse profile

Diet & body condition

Management & seasonal factors

Health history

Get your risk score by email

Your Laminitis Risk Assessment

Equine Laminitis — A Complete Guide for Horse Owners

What Is Laminitis?

The Main Causes of Laminitis

🌱 Pasture-Associated Laminitis

🩸 Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

🧠 PPID / Cushing's Disease

⚡ Systemic / Supporting Limb

Laminitis Risk by Breed

Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Laminitis

Dr Louise Cosgrove

Want to be ready for any horse emergency?

Horse LaminitisRisk Scorer

Horse profile

Diet & body condition

Management & seasonal factors

Health history

Get your risk score by email

Your Laminitis Risk Assessment

Equine Laminitis — A Complete Guide for Horse Owners

What Is Laminitis?

The Main Causes of Laminitis

🌱 Pasture-Associated Laminitis

🩸 Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)

🧠 PPID / Cushing's Disease

⚡ Systemic / Supporting Limb

Laminitis Risk by Breed

Frequently Asked Questions About Horse Laminitis

Dr Louise Cosgrove

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Horse Laminitis
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