Pasture-Associated Laminitis
Section snippets
Epidemiology and risk factors
Anecdotal observations have indicated that pasture-induced laminitis occurs at times of rapid grass growth and the accumulation of certain carbohydrates (fructans, starches, and sugars) in pasture forage (during the spring and early summer and during the fall, particularly after rainfall). Surprisingly, few studies have examined the effect of time of year on the incidence of laminitis. Some reports3, 4, 5 have indicated increased risk during spring and summer, whereas others have failed to
Pathogenesis of pasture laminitis
Pasture-associated laminitis clearly has a nutritional basis, but the exact mechanism(s) that links the consumption of pasture forage to development of laminar failure is not known. In broad terms, the ingestion of pasture forage may trigger laminitis by means of induction of digestive or metabolic disturbances. At certain times of the year, pasture forage is rich in nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs), including simple sugars, starches, and fructans.23 Rapid fermentation of these carbohydrates
Countermeasures to pasture laminitis in high-risk animals
From the preceding discussion, it is evident that countermeasures to pasture-associated laminitis must focus on two areas: (1) mitigation of metabolic predispositions (IR and obesity) in high-risk horses and ponies and (2) strategies for limiting intake of NSCs from pasture and other feedstuffs (ie, minimizing exposure to the dietary conditions known to trigger laminitis in these susceptible animals). Horses and ponies with a history of laminitis or physical characteristics suggestive of EMS or
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Cited by (38)
Changes in the nutrient profile and the load of mycotoxins, phytoestrogens, and pesticides in horse pastures during spring and summer in Austria
2023, Journal of Equine Veterinary ScienceThe Use of Confined Housing in Sand Bedding and Trimming to Manage Phalangeal Rotation and Hoof Malconformation Over a 20-Week Period in Two Laminitic Stallions
2022, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science“Feeding the Foot”: Nutritional Influences on Equine Hoof Health
2021, Veterinary Clinics of North America - Equine PracticeEffect of Sward Height on Pasture Nonstructural Carbohydrate Concentrations and Blood Glucose/Insulin Profiles in Grazing Horses
2017, Journal of Equine Veterinary ScienceCitation Excerpt :Decreasing the sward height by frequent mowing decreased NSC available for grazing and subsequently decreased the insulin response of horses grazing the pasture. This finding may have implications for developing grazing strategies aimed at decreasing the risk of pasture-associated laminitis [1,5]. For example, mowing pasture during seasons of the year when cool season grass NSC concentrations are highest (e.g., spring and fall) could maintain forage in a “regrowth” phase that consumes stored NSC, thereby decreasing overall NSC concentration.
Markers for Predicting Overweight or Obesity of Broodmares
2017, Journal of Equine Veterinary ScienceCitation Excerpt :Insulin resistance in obese horses is known as equine metabolic syndrome [16]. Horses and ponies with equine metabolic syndrome developed laminitis [4,17]. Clinically normal ponies treated with insulin also developed clinical and histological laminitis [18].
Veterinary Medicine, Eleventh Edition
2016, Veterinary Medicine, Eleventh Edition