Current Laminitis Risk Score
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About Laminitis Risk Assessment
This tool helps horse owners monitor conditions that may increase laminitis risk. High NSC (non-structural carbohydrate) levels in grass, particularly fructan, combined with stress factors like extreme heat, drought, and high UV exposure can trigger laminitis in susceptible horses.
Key Risk Factors: High fructan/starch levels, rapid temperature changes, high UV exposure, low cloud cover, and overnight temperature stress.
Read more information about laminitis at the British Horse Society 🔗
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C3 Grasses
Key fact: Around 90% of grass in the UK is C3, which includes ryegrass, timothy, fescue & meadow grass, they grow best in cool & moist conditions (approx. 5–20°C), they tend to accumulate higher levels of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) such as sugars & fructans, and sugar levels can be especially elevated when nights are cold & days are sunny — Cold nights + sunny days = very high NSC.
Risk is highest when:
grass is stressed (frost, drought, overgrazing), grass is young & growing rapidly, after bright sunny days, & where the individual horse has metabolic vulnerability (EMS, PPID, insulin resistance).
Safer grazing times
Early morning after a warm night is often the safest window, avoid late afternoon & evening on cool sunny days.
Always treat laminitis risk individually
Metabolic horses can react at very low sugar levels, so management should be personalised and discussed with a qualified veterinary professional.
Short summary — C3 grasses
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Climate & growth | Thrive in cool, moist conditions (5–20°C), very common in the UK (~90%), tend to accumulate sugars when nights are cold & days are sunny, sugar peaks often occur late afternoon & evening. |
Hourly risk guidance (typical C3 pasture after a sunny day)
Notes: this is a generalised pattern — local conditions (soil, grass mix, recent frost, fertiliser, grazing pressure) and individual horse sensitivity will change actual risk.
| Hour | Typical risk level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00 | Low | Night — plants respire, sugars usually lower. |
| 01:00 | Low | Night — low photosynthesis. |
| 02:00 | Low | Night — low photosynthesis. |
| 03:00 | Low | Night — lowest risk window for sugar peak. |
| 04:00 | Low | Pre-dawn — still low, but temperature drops may be happening. |
| 05:00 | Low | Early morning — safe in many conditions. |
| 06:00 | Moderate | Sunrise — photosynthesis begins, sugars start to rise. |
| 07:00 | Moderate | Morning — sugars increasing, still often below peak. |
| 08:00 | Moderate | Mid-morning — rising risk especially after cool night. |
| 09:00 | High | Late morning — continued sugar build-up. |
| 10:00 | High | Late morning — risk rising toward peak. |
| 11:00 | High | Midday — photosynthesis strong on sunny days. |
| 12:00 | Very High | Early afternoon — approaching peak sugar levels. |
| 13:00 | Very High | Afternoon — high risk, especially after cold night. |
| 14:00 | Very High | Afternoon peak window begins. |
| 15:00 | Very High | Late afternoon — often the highest sugar concentration. |
| 16:00 | Very High | Late afternoon — peak risk period for many C3 swards. |
| 17:00 | High | Early evening — sugars remain elevated. |
| 18:00 | High | Evening — still elevated, begins to decline as light fades. |
| 19:00 | Moderate | Nightfall — photosynthesis drops, sugars begin to lower. |
| 20:00 | Moderate | Evening — decreasing sugars. |
| 21:00 | Low | Late night — sugars lower, safer for grazing. |
| 22:00 | Low | Night — low photosynthesis & lower sugar levels. |
| 23:00 | Low | Night — low risk on average. |
Temperature & frost notes: Rapid day–night temperature swings (cold nights & warm, sunny days) increase NSC accumulation; recent frosts can stress grass and raise sugar concentration in subsequent daylight hours — combining frost with bright days is a higher-risk pattern.
Laminitis Risk Disclaimer (Website Use)
The information provided on this website is for general guidance only. It is based on weather data, grazing conditions, and other risk factors that may contribute to laminitis, but it does not constitute veterinary advice.
Laminitis is a complex condition and individual horses or ponies may react very differently to grazing, diet, workload, or medical history. This website cannot take into account every animal's specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified veterinary professional before making decisions about your horse's care, management, or treatment.
Although reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, we make no guarantees as to completeness, reliability, or suitability. Conditions can change rapidly and we cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, or adverse outcome arising from the use of this website or reliance on its information.
By using this website you agree that you do so at your own risk, and that the operators of this website shall not be held liable for any decisions or actions taken based on the content provided.
If you are concerned that your horse may be showing signs of laminitis, seek veterinary advice immediately.