Laminitis / Lush Grass

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LillySparrow

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I know the causes of laminitis (lush grass, excessive impact on hooves, frosty grass, recovery type situations with more pressure on one leg, etc etc) but my question is really about condition of grass. How do you assess the grass as to whether it presents a risk? What exactly constitutes 'lush grass'? What should I be looking out for? Also, does pony have to be overweight to be at risk or is this simply a predisposing / contributing factor? i.e. are non-overweights equally at risk?
Any additional info / views / tips on lami / prevention (other than the basics) also appreciated. Thanks! :D
 
This will keep you busy for a while. :D http://www.safergrass.org/

Not everyone agrees with this and believe not to fertilize and allow grass to revert to meadow is best. I lean more towards K. Watts if you're stuck with rich cow pasture and think it needs looking after properly to keep it as stress free as possible. Fertilizing should be done according to soil tests and not nitrates slapped on willynilly to 'make the grass grow'.
Weather conditions affect sugar levels, cold nights (below 4C I believe) stop grass using sugars so a few cold nights and sugars will be high and rising...
It's a mine field tbh, short cropped grass, rain after drought etc. anything that stresses grass can affect sugar levels.
 
I have a 19 year old Thoroubred/ welsh cob who has suffered with laminitis for 10 years which has resulted in abcesses but each time she has had a bout it has been caused by stress not grass. She had a bout last winter because she couldn't cope with the lack of grass! She has also had it when new horses have arrived in the fields next to her although they are across a river from her. She is not over weight but cannot be ridden due to her feet problems, it is a nightmare.
 
I have got so used to it now after all these years so I can spot the start of an abcess before she becomes really lame, I poultice straight away and usually it clears up pretty quickly. The laminitus is a different thing altogether and can take weeks or even months to settle but she is now a contented field ornament! I would never part with her but she is happy and pain free most of the time so just learnt to deal with it really and I have a very good farrier and vet.
 
Evidence now suggests that 9 out of 10 horses and ponies with laminitis have an endocrine disease at the root of the problem. May be worth getting a blood test done!
 
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