Hello,
I would like to buy a medium sized (~13.2 hands) pony to use for pleasure driving and light draft work. Truth be told, I probably just want one because I like ponies and think I could scrounge up enough work to keep one busy. If I had my choice, I would probably get a larger welsh or welsh/haflinger cross (or similar). What has held me back is that I have been around so many ponies that have developed laminitis. I am willing to not feed grain, limit grazing in the spring, and/or use a grazing muzzle. I do not want to have to stick my pony in a dry paddock all year. Am I being paranoid? Are there pony breeds that are more resistant to laminitis than others?
Thanks

I personally don't know any specifics of pony breed risk for laminitis. Ponies in general are more insulin resistant, which may be due to evolution to survive when food is sparse. Since insulin resistance does play a role in laminitis risk, an overweight pony is at higher risk of developing laminitis than is an overweight horse. But, if you keep your pony from becoming overweight the risk is minimized. I don't know of too many working ponies that developed laminitis - mostly they are the pasture pets. So, I'd say that your proposed feeding plan sounds ideal and should go a long way towards keeping a pony healthy and free of laminitis.

All of the ponies I have been around with laminitis were indeed pasture pets. I didn't know if this had to do more with the breed or the amount they were (not) worked. Thanks for clearing this up.