Ask Spillers

Advice on feeding a horse prone to laminitis

The owner: Josh Nixon The horse: Nutmeg, a 15-year-old Welsh section A driving pony The problem: Nutmeg is prone to laminitis

Clare says: As Nutmeg has had laminitis in the past, Josh is right to address the issue of her weight now as being overweight can increase the risk of laminitis. Nutmeg is turned out during the day and Josh says the grass is sparse, but she is a good doer and is clearly getting extra calories from somewhere. Ideally, Josh should restrict her time at grass or use a grazing muzzle to reduce grass intake. She will need non-grass turnout or stabling for the remainder of the day. Josh should also resist

the urge to put a rug on Nutmeg unless it's really cold — this will help her burn off calories to keep warm.

Josh could consider soaking Nutmeg’s carefully weighed hay ration for three hours to reduce the water-soluble carbohydrate content to less than 10%. Or, as a safe alternative, he could opt for a low starch, low sugar, fibre-based feed and use it as a partial or total hay replacer.

New recipe SPILLERS™ HAPPY HOOF™ now has an even lower starch and sugar

content, making it a safer choice for good doers, horses prone to laminitis and those in light work. It contains a blend of vitamins and minerals, plus 15mg of biotin per 3kg serving, which is proven to support hoof health. For those owners worried about molasses it is also available as SPILLERS™

HAPPY HOOF™ Molasses-free.

Both varieties can be fed alone, alongside a balancer to extend eating time or as a hay replacer, and are approved by The Laminitis Trust.