10/26/2025
While most laminitis is diet related, don't believe that it is only caused by grass or only caused by extreme hoof neglect.
Letting the toes stretch too long invites the inner hoof structures to move out of functionality (as well as opening the door for bacteria and fungus), so there might be some risk for a laminitic episode with keeping long toes on your horse.
Food induced laminitis can cause the inflammation of the laminae which compromises the connection holding the coffin bone in place.
Allowing a horse to become metabolic through inappropriate diet sets up a recipe for disaster.
Combining both inappropriate feeding and long feet makes the odds of a problem higher and Much More likely to be severe.
There are no shortcuts in horses.
People who love their horses come to realize this fast.
Laminitis is a Both/And issue, meaning the it can involve demands that must be managed simultaneously, rather than "either/or."
We need to both manage the food intake. It's important to also keep the hooves in an appropriate shape.
Even if there is no laminitic concern, this is important across the board.
It is worth noting the region of practice for the managing vet and farrier may be impacted by environmental factors, for instance, in an area out West where the terrain and the grasses are different than this coast, there would be tweaks to advice given depending on location.