Laminitis, particularly diet-induced laminitis, remains one of the most devastating yet preventable equine conditions encountered in both paddock and performance horses. As a veterinary lecturer and public educator, I encourage a proactive rather than reactive stance toward this disease. One tool we now have at our disposal is Founderguard, a scientifically formulated feed supplement by Virbac, designed specifically to reduce the risk of grain-induced founder (laminitis) in horses.
This guide offers an in-depth rationale for using Founderguard, practical recommendations, and a framework for incorporating it into everyday feeding and horse management practices.
Understanding the Risk: Why Laminitis Happens
Laminitis is a complex inflammatory condition affecting the lamellae—the delicate tissues anchoring the hoof wall to the pedal bone. When this structure becomes inflamed or damaged, the result is intense pain, hoof instability, and in chronic cases, long-term lameness or euthanasia.
One of the most common dietary causes of laminitis is hindgut acidosis, which occurs when undigested starch or sugars reach the hindgut, resulting in overproduction of lactic acid. This acidic environment alters the microbiome, damages the gut wall, and leads to the systemic release of endotoxins, which can trigger laminar inflammation.
The Role of Founderguard: Preventing the First Domino
Founderguard is a targeted nutritional intervention specifically designed to interrupt this process at its source.
Mechanism of Action
- Founderguard contains active ingredients embedded in a fibrous lucerne-based pellet that bypass the foregut and release in the hindgut.
- These ingredients work to moderate lactic acid build-up, stabilising pH and microbial balance.
- In doing so, they preserve gut integrity and prevent the cascade of events that leads to laminitis.
This makes Founderguard particularly useful for horses undergoing known dietary transitions that increase the risk of hindgut fermentation overload.
Who Should Be on Founderguard?
Let’s explore the high-risk scenarios and how Founderguard fits in:
🟡 Horses on High-Grain Diets
Performance horses, racehorses, and growing youngsters fed grain-based concentrates for energy and weight gain are prime candidates. The risk is cumulative: small, regular overloads eventually disrupt the gut.
🟢 Horses Grazing Lush Pasture (Especially in Spring/Autumn)
Fructan-rich grasses during these seasons mimic the effect of grain in the hindgut. Founderguard reduces the risk for horses prone to overgrazing or those managed on rotation with limited pasture control.
🔵 Horses With a History of Laminitis
These horses are metabolically primed for relapse. Even small dietary missteps can lead to recurrence. Founderguard offers an important line of defence when diet cannot be tightly controlled.
🟠 Young Sale-Prep Horses
These horses often transition rapidly from pasture to energy-dense rations. Founderguard offers gut protection during this shift.
🟣 Horses With Hoof Integrity Issues (Seedy Toe, White Line Disease, Poor Hooves)
Poor hoof quality may signal subclinical laminar stress. In such cases, using Founderguard proactively can support hoof health by reducing internal damage.
Administration and Practical Use
Dosage Guide
- Individual Dosing: 5g per 100kg of bodyweight per day. A 500kg horse would therefore require 25g daily.
- Bulk Feeding: 1kg Founderguard per 250kg of feed concentrate.
Important Usage Notes
- Begin administration at least three days before a planned dietary increase in grain or access to lush pasture.
- Start gradually: Introduce at ¼ to ½ of the full dose over four days to avoid feed refusal.
- Form: Founderguard is delivered in a palatable lucerne-based pellet, which can be added to feed or given directly.
This slow introduction helps maintain feed intake and palatability, especially in fussy eaters.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
- Is this a treatment for laminitis?
No—Founderguard is a preventative, not a treatment. It is designed to be used before laminitis sets in or during known risk periods. - Can it be used long-term?
Yes—Founderguard can be safely used as part of a long-term risk management plan in horses with chronic predispositions. - Can I just use random treats or supplements instead?
Founderguard is backed by clinical studies and veterinary science. Other supplements may not target the specific mechanism of hindgut acidosis, making them far less effective as preventatives.
Here’s a customisable feeding plan template for horses being supplemented with Founderguard, designed for veterinarians, trainers, agistment staff, or horse owners managing dietary transitions or laminitis risk:
🐴 Founderguard Feeding Plan Template
For the prevention of grain- or pasture-induced laminitis
📄 Horse Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Horse Name | |
| Age | |
| Breed | |
| Weight (kg) | |
| Current Diet | |
| Known Laminitis History | Yes ☐ No ☐ |
| Hoof Concerns Present? | Yes ☐ No ☐ |
| Grazing Access | None ☐ Limited ☐ Full-time ☐ |
| High-Grain Ration? | Yes ☐ No ☐ |
🗓️ Supplementation Period
| Start Date | End Date (if applicable) | Reason for Use |
|---|---|---|
| e.g. Spring pasture, Sales Prep |
🥕 Feeding Instructions
➤ Founderguard Dose
| Bodyweight | Daily Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 5g per 100kg bodyweight |
➡ Recommended Daily Dose: __________ g
➡ Scoop Conversion (25g per scoop): __________ scoops per day
➤ Introduction Schedule (Over 4 Days)
| Day | Dose (%) | Dose (g) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25% | Begin introduction slowly | |
| 2 | 50% | Monitor appetite and stool | |
| 3 | 75% | Check for feed refusal | |
| 4+ | 100% | Maintain full dose ongoing |
🐎 Feeding Method
- ☐ Mix into daily hard feed
- ☐ Administer orally (if needed)
- ☐ Divide into AM/PM feeds (if applicable)
- Notes: ___________________________________________________________
🔎 Monitoring & Notes
| Parameter | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Appetite | Daily | |
| Manure Consistency | Daily | |
| Hoof Heat/Pulse Check | Weekly | |
| Weight/Appetite | Fortnightly | |
| Behaviour/Attitude | Ongoing | |
| Laminitis signs | Ongoing | Check for stance, gait, heat, etc. |
✅ Checklist
- Administer full dose at least 3 days prior to grain or pasture increase
- Monitor for decreased feed intake during week 1
- Ensure access to clean water at all times
- Review feed plan with vet/nutritionist monthly
📌 Additional Notes / Adjustments
Use this space to note any changes in diet, adjustments to exercise, or observations that may affect the plan.
Prevention Is Smarter Than Cure
Grain-induced laminitis is painful, potentially irreversible, and entirely preventable with the right knowledge and tools. Founderguard is a scientifically validated approach to safeguarding your horse’s gut health during high-risk periods. Whether you’re preparing a young horse for sale, managing a spring flush of grass, or feeding a high-performance diet, incorporating Founderguard is a decision grounded in best practice.
Your horse’s hooves may be on the ground—but their health starts in the gut.
If you have any questions about introducing Founderguard to your feeding regime, consult your veterinarian for tailored guidance.