Warm water soaking makes hay safer for laminitis

A new study conducted by the Laminitis Consortium suggests that soaking hay in summer temperature tap water makes it safer to feed to laminitis-prone horses and ponies.

The research, indicated hay soaked at 16C for 16 hours resulted in the greatest loss of water-soluble carbohydrates — which can cause laminitis.

The research was carried out by Dr Annette Longland of Equine Livestock and Nutrition Services, Dr Pat Harris of the Waltham Equine Studies Group and Clare Barfoot of Spillers.

Ms Barfoot said, “Despite this exciting study, soaking hay should always be seen as an additional safeguard. It’s crucial to have your hay analysed before feeding an animal with a high risk of laminitis.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now