Laminitis from frosty grass

Nope. Ours always have get fed first thing and are hayed in the field. They also have continous access to water. Three of them are out 24/7 so I honestly don't know how people's horses get colic from frost?
 
If you've got anything remotely prone to laminitis, turning out onto frosty pasture, especially if its sunny, is a definite no no.

Sorry, can't be specific with the science bit, but its something to do with frost making the grass high in fructans, and the action of the sun making the whole thing much worse. No doubt there's someone who can explain it much better than this.

But personally I wouldn't ever turn out if the grass is frosty + sun shining if it could ever be avoided. Having had one laminitic I don't ever want another.
 
A friends pony succumbed a few weeks ago, grass produces complex chemicals (Fructans) when stressed to help it recover, freezing and quickly thawing does this, these are bad news if ingested by laminitics and can cause an imbalance and an attack results.

Have a look at some Laminitis websites, they give some tips on reducing the risk.
 
my pony went down totally unexpected over Xmas frost - out of the blue - only just coming sound now - im never turning out in the frost again!
 
yes, twice over, it is scarily common and not enough people are educated enough with laminitis unfortunately, but thats a lot of vets faults, my vet never told me about this, it was my farrier, then when i asked a different vet, he backed it up with loads of technical jargon!!!! Its basically to do with the sugars built up in the frozen grass, to preserve the grass and protect it in bad weather, and then as it defrosts (either in their tummies or as the sun comes up) the sugars are released and toxins build up in the horses blood, that rushes to the extremities of the horses body, being the feet, hence the laminitis. The longer the grass is frozen though, apparently the lesser the sugars, its more for night frosts and sunny/warmer days that causes problems, but i generally keep mine off frozen grass full stop, just in case.
 
I've done just the same with my lovely Shetland - he's been lame with laminitis since Boxing Day! It's so frutrating because now I guess he'll always be susceptible.
 
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