I have many off the wall ideas when it comes to horses, but they tend to attest to themselves. I don't pluck these ideas out of thin air, it's a combination of what my parents and grandparents taught me and my own research.
Horses can get laminitis at any stage and in any environment.
Those who have a bout of laminitis are more than 75% likely for it to re occur at some stage.
The main causes of laminitis are carbohydrate, sugar, or nitrogen overload, poor blood circulation, and being continually worked on hard surfaces.
Paddocked horses are particularly susceptible to laminitis during Spring when lush grasses abound carrying very high levels of nutrients.
It's a combination of not enough exercise and food overload.
A greedy, fat pony will founder as will a stabled horse turned loose.
The theory is that undulating, large paddocks devoid of fertilisers, (natural fertiliser is ok), which are large and require the horse to exercise for it's food, supply exercise, good blood flow to the hooves, naturally trim the hooves (to some extent), and stop horses "pigging out" on lush grass, because there is an abundance of grass always.
A small flat paddock which suddenly bursts into life in Spring is particularly dangerous, there's no exercise to speak of and an opportunity for the horse to binge eat.
This is one of the reasons, I have been an advocate for herds of horses in very large undulating paddocks with plenty of natural shade.
It does wonders mentally and physically.
I've been challenged by many in the dressage world over this topic, but they love their stables, laser-levelled paddocks and have to rope a tiny paddock in half to stop the Warmblood foundering.
They don't seem to understand that horses are opportunists, like kids, if you give kids a key to a candy store, you'll have one very sick child. If your child is an athlete, and gets one lolly a day for sugar balance, he's unlikely to binge in that same store.
Sorry for the long explanation, but it's one of my favourite topics.
P.S. Solid footing isn't a factor, only becomes a factor when it's due to mud or water. In fact an undulating paddock with some rocky areas is more natural and better for the horse/
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