With the clocks having gone forward giving us lighter evenings and the warmer weather bringing lush grass and new life, horses and their owners face a potential problem.<\/p>\n
With horses feeding on hay and feed in the colder months, nutrient-dense new shoots provide a concentrated source of sugars which can result in new or relapses of cases of laminitis. Laminitis is a painful condition that affects horses\u2019 and ponies\u2019 feet and can, in the worst cases, be fatal.<\/p>\n
What are the effects of Laminitis?<\/strong><\/p>\n Within the hard exterior of a hoof lies an inner, sensitive layer \u2013 the Laminae. Laminitis causes this layer to inflame, which if left untreated can cause structural changes in the hoof, including rotation and sinking of the pedal bone.<\/p>\n In addition to this being incredibly painful for the animal, it can lead to long-term damage and in severe cases could lead to the horse having to be euthanised.<\/p>\n The non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) found in grass can be broken down into three types: sugars, starches, and fructans. It is the high levels of NSCs concealed in spring grass which can cause the issues, as they can lead to high concentrations of glucose and insulin resistance in the animal\u2019s system \u2013 one of the primary causes of the affliction.<\/p>\n As the condition affects the hooves, lameness is one possible sign of laminitis. Other signs of acute laminitis can include:<\/p>\n Overweight horses can be more susceptible to laminitis so monitoring horse\u2019s feed and being careful with sudden changes to their diet could help. Restricting the amount of grazing in the spring by fencing off areas of fields with temporary fencing or using a grazing muzzle may also help.<\/p>\n Hard, dry ground can also be a problem as riding and jumping on it can cause concussion to the feet. Problematic changes in your horse\u2019s hooves may first be noticed by your farrier, so keeping regular appointments to ensure your horse\u2019s hooves are trimmed, and shoes are fitted if necessary, is time well spent.<\/p>\n Equine insurance can cover illnesses provided they\u2019re not excluded due to age or pre-existing conditions. Our equine insurance<\/a> specialists at McClarrons are more than happy to discuss any concerns you may have with regards to your insurance protection. You can contact the team on 01653 697055 or by emailing enquiries@networkportfolio.co.uk\/mcclarroninsurance.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With the clocks having gone forward giving us lighter evenings and the warmer weather bringing lush grass and new life, horses and their owners face a potential problem. With horses feeding on hay and feed in the colder months, nutrient-dense new shoots provide a concentrated source of sugars which can result in new or relapses […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2873,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[39],"tags":[395,228,101,95,394,392,393],"yoast_head":"\nPossible Causes<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Symptoms<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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How is it treated?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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How to avoid it<\/strong><\/h4>\n