Answer

By Your Horse

Nutritionist Clare Lockyer replies:

Nutritionally-induced laminitis is caused by soluble carbohydrates escaping digestion in the foregut and being fermented rapidly in the hindgut. The soluble carbohydrate can come from grass in the form of sucrose and fructans, or from the starch found in cereals. For this reason, grazing should berestricted, particularly in spring and autumn, if your horse is prone to the condition.
The other major consideration is the suitability of any compound feed you are giving. This should be low in sugar and starch and high in fibre. Coarse mixes, even ‘cool’ mixes, are therefore unsuitable for laminitics. Instead, look for feeds approved by The Laminitis Trust, such as Speedi-Beet or Spillers Happy Hoof.
As your mare is in her senior years, the cause of her laminitis may not be directly related to her diet. It may be worth asking your vet to check her over. Chronic laminitis is a common sign of Cushing’s disease, and therefore it is important that you eliminate this. If she does have Cushing’s, her feeding strategy should remain the same – namely, following a high-fibre, low-starch and sugar diet.