Allowing horses and ponies unrestricted access to improved pastures at this time is putting them at high risk of developing laminitis since all the experts now agree that soluble carbohydrate or starch is the main culprit and that it is the total weight of carbohydrate which a horse or pony eats which puts it at risk.

You can restrict grass intake of animals at high risk by dividing grazing into smaller paddocks.

Take care to collect droppings daily to avoid him taking in large worm burdens which could lead to severe illness or even death.

Consider the use of a muzzle with a slot cut in the bottom to enable him to graze but severely restrict his consumption.

Be sure to check it daily.

Remember that carbohydrate is also found in cereal-based compound feed.

Never overfeed and feed according to work.

Even hacking cannot be considered hard work and fat animals are at serious risk of developing laminitis.

You should be able to feel your horse's ribs easily when you run your hand along his side. If you are feeding, a ration based on the predominantly fibre feeds rather than a high calorie feed is better.

The Laminitis Trust horse feed approval mark identifies feeds which are considered suitable to help prevent laminitis or to feed to animals suffering from laminitis.

Dengie Hi Fi Lite, Spillers Happy Hoof and High Fibre Cubes and Dodson and Horrell's Fibergy. Alfalfa Chaff, Fiber Blend and unmolassed sugarbeet shreds have all so far gained the approval.