Pasture induced laminitis generally occurs during the spring months when grasses become high in sugars and starches. Some horses are more susceptible to pasture induced laminitis, such as overweight horses, ponies, horse with metabolic disorders, and horses that have foundered previously.
The two metabolic diseases that can put a horse at high risk for pasture induced laminitis are Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Cushing’s (also called pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction or PPID). Symptoms of these two metabolic diseases include abnormal fatty deposits above the tail, crest of neck, and above the eyelids. If you suspect your horse may have either of these conditions, contact your veterinarian. They can perform a blood test to confirm a diagnosis and develop a treatment protocol.