Why Dry Weather Followed by Rain Could Trigger Laminitis in Your Horse – And How You Can Act Early

After weeks of dry weather, your paddocks might look parched. But when the rain finally arrives, the grass will grow rapidly – and so will the sugars within it. For horses at risk of laminitis, this change is a silent trigger. And the danger isn’t always visible.

What’s the Risk?

• Drought-stressed grasses store more sugars (non-structural carbohydrates).

• When rain hits, grass grows fast – flooding the system with sugars.

• This sudden carbohydrate surge is a major cause of laminitis, especially in:

  • Overweight horses

  • Native breeds and ponies

  • Horses with EMS or PPID

  • Horses with previous, even undiagnosed, laminitis

Why Laminitis Isn’t Always Obvious
Some horses show no signs of lameness, even with inflammation or early bone changes in the foot. This is why subclinical laminitis is so dangerous – owners may not know there’s a problem until it’s advanced.

What You Can Do Now
We’re offering a Laminitis Risk Assessment Package to help catch these cases early.

For £180 (incl. VAT), you’ll receive:

• Karo Syrup Challenge Test to assess insulin response

• Radiographs of the front feet (2 views per foot: lateromedial and dorsopalmar)

• Veterinary consultation and tailored advice

Early detection allows us to act – before pain starts. Recent advances in treatment are giving new hope, especially when cases are identified before lameness is present.

Available until 31st August 2025.