Define "Autumn" when it comes to Laminitis?

kellybee

kellybee

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Have been taking extra caution with our laminitic pony the last month or so. We've recently put her in a field that hasn't been grazed (or used at all) for approx 3yrs, although hay was cut off it in August and it's been left to grow back. The grass isn't exactly lush, it's pale, broad stuff and I mowed it a week before she went in, plus it has tall trees all around which shadow the grass/prevent the sun from touching most of it with the exception of a few hours during the day. She's turned out with my 14.2 in a grazing muzzle and she does graze all day with it on, although I've been leaving it off at night. The paddock is big enough that they can run around if they want to, I guess about a quarter of an acre.

Feet are all fine and no signs of any kind of flare up, and the big un is grazing it down quite quick, but I'm wondering when people consider autumn to be over? She was out all winter on long grass with no muzzle last yr (because she didn't have much weight on and back then we'd been told she wasn't laminitic, although the breeder has since said she's always had it), but I'm wondering when the "extra high" danger zone will be behind us in terms of fructins?

I've read that grass doesn't grow so much when its less that 5 degrees by night, so should I be expecting the fructins to drop with the temperature? There's so much info out there, but I want to get it right.

If anyone could help me de-tangle my brain I'd be really grateful!
 
Seems you can get laminitis any time of year. Frosty mornings are particularly bad, especially for a horse who is in at night and then goes out and gorges the sweet, frozen grass. I don't think we can ever afford to be complacent about it.
 
Dependent on age I'd be checking for Cushings as the change of seasons seems to affect their hormones and thus increase the laminitis risk, let alone the change in grasss.
 
Good thinking, but she doesn't have cushings, I asked the vet about that when she was vetted for use in the riding school.

I hope I didn't come across as being complacent, I realise there are risks all yr round too, I just don't know when the fructin levels drop because I guess the sun will be on the grass for longer when the leaves fall, and I'd like to be extra careful this time of year if that makes sense? We've been mega careful in the year we've had her and the only problem we've experienced was when she got through the fence, but to err on the side of extra cautious for now I'd like to be sure I'm thinking on the right lines.
 
Lady in red is correct, technically it's more dangerous when you've got autumn frosts. I restrict grazing right through till the end of november when all the goodness has gone out of the grass. I consider mid december onwards as being proper winter.
If you can, only turn out after the frost has melted. Before we get frosts, I turn out at night and bring in during the day.
 
If you have a smart phone you can get a laminitis app which monitors the weather conditions in your area and tells you what the risk factor is for turning out. For example, it is higher risk to turn out if it is sunny after it has been raining whether spring, summer, autumn or winter, but I often don't know what the cloud cover has been like as I have been in work all day not watching the sky. I have found it to be really valuable although obviously you interpret it in the context of your horse (e.g. mine is slightly underweight cushings pony).
 
I've just downloaded it, thanks ever so much!! I was only thinking yesterday I wished there was some kind of forecast for laminitis like there is for the pollen count!
 
kellybee said:
I've just downloaded it, thanks ever so much!! I was only thinking yesterday I wished there was some kind of forecast for laminitis like there is for the pollen count!
Click to expand...

App aside....scarey.......
If a pony has previously had laminitus, it will always be prone. As a farmers wife, I could do a lecture on the life cycle of grass - but I won't as that would be dull, but ignoring frosts (myth) there are growing spurts in the Autumn due to temperature and sugar content of the grass. Growth spurts of grass (and the sugar content) can happen in Feb / June / Nov......so sadly your pony is vulnerable at any time of year really. I have an elderly pony who has cushings (his curley coat is something to be believed) I have turned him out this winter in a 6 acre field - as I am fed up with him having such a poor quality of life in a tiny paddock where he is isolated from all his friends and has zero quality of life. He is a 103 - well 25 years plus, and to date is doing OK - no laminitus - but if he does get it, then that will be the final round-up for him - but he might just have enjoyed his final few months of life.....and I have seen this at first hand every morning when he is galloping around with the other horses, kicking and bucking and generally sorting them all out - and then having a mid afternoon snooze, laying down with the one bullied young horse in the field. He is worth his weight in gold really - dear old Scrumpy (getting quite emotional as I write this) but when his time comes, we will do our best by him - which includes potentially subjecting him to his next bout of laminitis..............but knowing that he will have enjoyed his time with us.
 
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