e-Newsletter | 10/16/26 | View online

When Autumn Grass Changes: Understanding Fall Laminitis Risk

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There is something special about this time of year. The mornings are cooler, the days are beginning to shorten, and across the country, pastures are taking on the familiar look of autumn. Soft Ride’s Team is in Columbus for the All American Quarter Horse Congress, surrounded by horses and horse people from across the country, and the change in season is especially noticeable. With autumn settling in, it is a good time to take a closer look at what is happening in our pastures and what those changes can mean for our horses.

Autumn brings some important changes to pasture grass that horse owners should understand, particularly if a horse has a history of laminitis, equine metabolic syndrome, insulin dysregulation, or other metabolic concerns.

Many people associate pasture-related laminitis with spring grass, but autumn can bring another period of increased risk. The reason has to do with how grass responds to changing temperatures, sunlight, moisture, and growth conditions, as well as how an individual horse responds to the carbohydrates in that grass.

Understanding what is happening in the pasture can help owners make informed decisions about grazing as the seasons change.

How Autumn Grass Can Increase Laminitis Risk

Grass is a living plant, and its chemistry changes in response to its environment. During the growing season, grasses use sunlight to produce energy through photosynthesis. Some of that energy is used for growth, while some is stored as nonstructural carbohydrates, or NSC, which include sugars, starch, and fructans.

The amount of carbohydrate in pasture can vary considerably depending on the grass species, weather, time of day and year, stage of growth, and environmental stress. There is no single carbohydrate pattern that applies to every pasture.

Autumn can create a particularly important combination of conditions. As temperatures fall, grass growth slows, but photosynthesis can continue when sunlight is available. This can allow carbohydrates to accumulate in the plant rather than being used immediately for new growth. A period of rain followed by cool, sunny weather can encourage fresh growth with significant NSC, while frost can also increase sugar concentrations in some pastures.

For most horses, these seasonal changes may not create a problem. For horses with insulin dysregulation, equine metabolic syndrome, or a history of laminitis, however, consuming substantial amounts of readily available carbohydrate can trigger an exaggerated insulin response. High circulating insulin is strongly associated with endocrinopathic laminitis.

This means the same pasture can be tolerated by one horse while increasing the risk for another. Body condition, metabolic health, previous laminitis, individual susceptibility, and the amount of pasture consumed all play a role.

The important thing for owners to remember is that the pasture itself can change even when the horse's routine has not. A horse that has grazed comfortably for weeks may encounter a different carbohydrate profile as temperatures, sunlight, rainfall, and plant growth change.

Because pasture carbohydrate levels can change with environmental conditions, appearance alone is not a reliable way to determine whether a pasture is appropriate for a horse that requires strict carbohydrate management.

The Basics of Seasonal Laminitis

Seasonal pasture laminitis is primarily endocrinopathic. It can happen when dietary carbohydrates trigger an unusually high insulin response.

Laminitis does not always begin with dramatic lameness. Watch for:

• Reluctance to move

• A shortened or stiff stride

• Increased hoof temperature

• A stronger digital pulse

• Sensitivity when walking on firm ground

• Shifting weight between feet

• Spending more time lying down

• Changes in stance

• Reluctance to turn or move forward

A horse does not need to display every sign to warrant attention.

If a horse at risk for laminitis suddenly becomes uncomfortable, particularly after a change in pasture access or weather conditions, contact your veterinarian promptly. Early recognition and appropriate management can be important in limiting progression and protecting the structures within the hoof.

Autumn Pasture Management

The safest approach for a horse at risk of pasture-associated laminitis is to work with your veterinarian, farrier, and, when appropriate, an equine nutritionist to develop a plan based on the individual horse.

A few practical considerations can help:

Know your horse's risk. A previous episode of laminitis, obesity, insulin dysregulation, or equine metabolic syndrome can increase concern about pasture carbohydrate intake.

Pay attention to weather changes. Rain followed by cool, sunny weather can change the pasture's carbohydrate profile. The first frost also deserves attention in susceptible horses.

Don't judge pasture by appearance alone. A field does not have to look exceptionally lush to contain significant NSC. For horses requiring strict carbohydrate control, forage testing can provide more useful information than visual assessment.

Follow the grazing plan recommended for your horse. Some horses can tolerate limited grazing under specific conditions, while others with significant insulin dysregulation may need to remain off pasture.

Keep body condition in mind. Maintaining an appropriate body condition is an important part of managing metabolic health and laminitis risk.

Continue routine hoof care. Regular examination and farrier care remain important throughout the year. Changes in hoof growth, hoof shape, gait, or comfort can provide useful information about what is happening inside the foot.

Supporting Sensitive Feet & Learning More About Laminitis

For horses with a history of laminitis or current hoof sensitivity, autumn management involves more than watching the pasture. Keeping the horse comfortable while dietary and metabolic factors are addressed is an important part of supportive care. Soft Ride Comfort Boots can provide cushioning and support for horses experiencing hoof soreness, including those under veterinary management for laminitis. The Deep Gel Orthotics provide non-crushable urethane support beneath the hoof, cushioning the foot while supporting the sole and encouraging loading through the central portion of the foot.

Hoof boots are one part of a broader management plan and do not address the underlying metabolic causes of pasture-associated laminitis. Veterinary evaluation, appropriate dietary management, and pasture control remain important considerations.

If you would like to learn more about laminitis and how to recognize and manage risk, we also recommend reading our Understanding & Managing Laminitis newsletter, which covers causes, signs, management, and supportive care considerations in greater depth.

A Seasonal Reminder for the Barn

Autumn is a beautiful time to be with our horses, and a little extra attention to the pasture can help keep it that way.

Watch the weather. Know your horse's metabolic and laminitis history. Pay attention to changes in the grass, particularly following periods of growth, rain, cold temperatures, bright sunshine, or frost. Keep monitoring your horse's weight, movement, feet, and overall comfort as the season changes.

If you have a horse with a history of laminitis or metabolic disease, talk with your veterinarian about whether autumn pasture access is appropriate and what restrictions may be needed.

The grass may look like it is preparing for winter, but for some horses, autumn is a season when what's happening inside the plant deserves just as much attention as what we can see above the ground.

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Disclaimer: This content is for education and is not medical advice. If you suspect medical illness or injury contact your veterinarian for medical advise.