Laminitis- can it affect the very young?

[shadowboy]

Having a debate with YO- She thinks my yearling will be safe on an ungrazed (been 6 months since a horse has been on it) but topped 3 acre paddock. The grass is just above ankle height. I think its too risky but she says he will just use it to grow...

im happy to be provn wrong- but just wanted to know if I am right and its too big a risk for him. He is a NF. 15 months old.

 

[ISHmad]

Laminitis can strike just as easily in youngsters as in any other age of horse or pony. You are right to be vigilant especially with a native.

Longer grass is likely to have less sugar content than the short sweet shoots which are bursting up everywhere due to the weather we've had lately.

Will she let you strip graze or have a barer paddock instead?

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

As ISHM says, laminitis can strike any horse, any breed, any age, any where. Go with your gut instinct x

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Agree with the others - lamintis is no respecter of age etc Strip graze if you can - always better safe than sorry!!

 

[Maggie2]

I've had a foal, not even weaned, that was on a stud balancer, not overweight either, get 'inflamed laminae'.

I wouldn't risk it.

 

[Donkeymad]

Yes, it can affect any age.

 

[kellyeaton]

it can affect any age breed but many ponies get it more than horses nd good doer native types!