Chilly Winter & Laminitis — What Every Horse Owner Should Know

Winter has made itself very well known this year. January has brought  powerful winter storms that have swept across the country, bringing unusually cold temperatures and snow from the East Coast all the way to the West. Areas that rarely see flakes have been digging out, while long-time snow regions are dealing with prolonged cold snaps and challenging conditions.

Here at Soft Ride, the season also comes with its share of concerns. Cold weather affects not just our comfort — it can influence hoof circulation, especially in horses predisposed to laminitis. In winter, particularly with sudden cold snaps or prolonged low temperatures, many horse owners see a rise in cases of winter laminitis — a condition linked to compromised blood flow in the feet when it’s cold. With winter weather showing no signs of slowing down, it’s more important than ever to understand what winter laminitis is, how it differs from other forms of laminitis, and what steps you can take to help keep your horse comfortable and supported.

While a cold snap doesn’t guarantee laminitis, winter laminitis is a real clinical syndrome distinct from classic laminitis — driven primarily by cold-induced circulatory compromise and often seen in horses with underlying metabolic sensitivities. Recent research continues to expand our understanding of seasonal metabolic changes in horses and how that affects hoof health.

The Soft Ride Team

Download our Quick Reference Guide for Winter Laminitis PDF  to keep at the barn

What Winter Laminitis Is — And How It Occurs

Winter laminitis refers to hoof pain and laminar compromise triggered or worsened by cold temperatures. In cold conditions, the body naturally shunts blood away from the extremities (like the hooves) to preserve core temperature. In a healthy horse, circulatory adjustments help maintain foot perfusion. But in horses with underlying sensitivities — especially those with insulin dysregulation or metabolic syndromes — this shunting can overly reduce microvascular blood flow to the laminal tissue.

Key points for winter laminitis:

• Cold-induced vasoconstriction (narrowing of vessels) reduces hoof blood flow.

• Horses with prior laminitis or metabolic disorders are at higher risk.

• Signs can appear or worsen during frost or after rapid temperature drops.

Unlike other forms of laminitis, winter laminitis rarely progresses to catastrophic coffin bone rotation (founder), though it is painful and clinically significant.

Winter Laminitis vs “True” (Classic) Laminitis

Many horse owners and even vets prefer to distinguish winter laminitis from classic laminitis because the mechanism and clinical picture differ.

Trigger

• Winter Laminitis: Cold-induced blood flow changes

• True Laminitis: Metabolic, inflammatory, dietary, or septic causes

Hoof Temperature

• Winter Laminitis: Cold hooves

• True Laminitis: Often warm, throbbing hooves

Seasonality

• Winter Laminitis: Seasonal, cold months

• True Laminitis: Any season (often spring/summer)

Progression

• Winter Laminitis: Often less structural damage

• True Laminitis: Can lead to severe laminar separation and founder

Inflammation

• Winter Laminitis: Minimal true inflammation

• True Laminitis: True inflammation of the lamellae

Response to NSAIDs

• Winter Laminitis: Often less responsive

• True Laminitis: May respond to anti-inflammatories

In contrast to classic laminitis, winter laminitis is generally more about vascular dysfunction in cold weather than about inflammatory degradation of the lamellae.

What’s New in Understanding Winter Laminitis

Seasonal Insulin and Circulation Research

Recent veterinary research shows that horses with prior laminitis episodes have altered insulin responses depending on the season, suggesting metabolic regulatory changes throughout the year that may influence laminitis risk. (Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Volume 145, February 2025, 105254)

Continued Emphasis on Blood Flow and Hoof Perfusion

Contemporary equine health articles highlight that cold-induced vasoconstriction coupled with metabolic impairment (e.g., insulin dysregulation) increases susceptibility — especially in the front feet — and that these episodes may occur even without dietary change.

Laminitis Research & Conferences

The ECIR Group’s NO Laminitis! Conference has presented advanced insights on metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance involved in laminitis — including implications for winter laminitis risk and management.

How Does Winter Laminitis Compare With Other Major Forms?

Below is a comparative list/chart detailing the primary recognized laminitis types:

Metabolic Laminitis (Endocrinopathic)

• Primary Cause: Insulin dysregulation / Equine Metabolic Syndrome / PPID

• Typical Triggers: High sugar intake, pasture grasses, obesity

• Key Signs: Warm hooves, lameness, hoof rings

• Typical Progression: Can progress to rotation/founder

Note: Metabolic laminitis accounts for ~90% of cases and is strongly linked to insulin dysregulation.

Trauma (Supporting-Limb Laminitis)

• Primary Cause: Excessive weight bearing on one leg

• Typical Triggers: Severe lameness or injury to opposite limb

• Key Signs: Front hoof sensitivity, often unilateral

• Typical Progression: Can lead to structural laminar damage

Note: Supporting-limb laminitis results from abnormal load on one hoof.

Septic / Inflammatory Laminitis

• Primary Cause: Systemic inflammation / bacterial toxins

• Typical Triggers: Colitis, sepsis, retained placenta

• Key Signs: Sudden onset pain, systemic illness signs

• Typical Progression: Often severe, rapid breakdown of laminae

Note: Sepsis-associated laminitis occurs during or after serious systemic inflammatory illness.

Winter Laminitis

• Primary Cause: Cold-induced vascular dysfunction

• Typical Triggers: Cold temperatures, cold snaps

• Key Signs: Cold hooves, intermittent lameness during winter

• Typical Progression: Often less likely to founder than metabolic/inflammatory

Note: Winter laminitis has a distinct seasonal trigger and circulatory basis, though horses with metabolic predispositions are at higher risk.

Signs to Watch For (Across Types)

Laminitis signs can vary by type, but common symptoms include:

• Reluctance to walk or lameness

• Shifting weight to hind end

• Sensitivity on hard ground

• Hoof ring changes or stretched white line (chronic)
  

In winter laminitis, you may also notice:

• Cold, painful hooves shortly after a cold event

• Increased sensitivity in front feet during and after frost

Prevention & Practical Tips

Because winter laminitis involves blood flow changes, current recommendations include:

• Keep feet and lower limbs warm in cold weather

• Provide access to shelter and dry footing

• Dietary management (especially in winter) to reduce insulin spikes

• Regular hoof care to maintain hoof integrity

  
  

Soft Ride boots with or without insulated wraps can help maintain hoof warmth and improve circulation when it’s cold.

Disclaimer: This summary is educational and not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. Consult a veterinarian for concerns about laminitis or hoof health.

Saved by Soft Ride

My Morgan mare, Dixie, experienced winter laminitis two years ago during a cold winter in western Washington. With help from our wonderful farrier, Daphne Jones, she made a full recovery and continues to feel better than ever. We still use her soft rides during cold nights when the ground freezes. They’ve never rubbed or caused us any issues and she always seems happy to have them on. She has access to a barn with shavings, pea gravel area, and dirt track and the boots have done great on all surfaces. Thanks for such a great boot that’s truly life saving!

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