Summary Reasons for performing study The mechanisms underlying individual animal predisposition to pasture‐associated laminitis remain unclear; however, chronic inflammation is implicated. Objectives To identify differences in the inflammatory profile of a group of previously laminitic ponies compared with control animals at pasture in late spring and winter. Methods Previously laminitic ( PL ; n = 38 and 42) and nonlaminitic control ponies ( NL ; n = 41 and 39) were sampled in late spring and winter. Body condition score, height, weight and crest height and thickness were measured. Plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor‐α, serum amyloid A, haptoglobin, insulin, adiponectin, triglyceride, fibrinogen, interleukin‐17, interleukin‐4 and interferon‐γ were assayed by validated/standard methods. Factors independently associated with each cytokine were determined by multivariate analysis. Results Plasma [adiponectin] was significantly influenced by laminitis status, being lower in PL (median [interquartile range] 2.1[1.4–3.2] μg/l) than in NL ponies (3.4 [2.6–4.1] μg/l; P<0.0001). No other cytokines or inflammatory markers were associated with laminitis status. Plasma fibrinogen and serum amyloid A concentrations were significantly (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01) higher in geldings (3.5 [3.0–4.0] g/l; 2.2 [0.5–3.6] mg/l) than in mares (3.0 [3.0–4.0] g/l; 1.5 [0.4–2.1] mg/l) and significantly (P = 0.04 and P<0.001) higher in winter (3.5 [3.0–4.0] g/l; 2.5 [0.9–3.6] mg/l) than in late spring (3.0 [3.0–3.5] g/l; 1.1 [0.3–1.9] mg/l). Serum haptoglobin concentration showed the same significant (P<0.001) seasonal difference (winter 2.1 [1.6–2.6 g/l; late spring 1.8 1.4–2.4 g/l) and was significantly (P = 0.01) inversely associated with weight. Serum interleukin‐4 concentration was significantly (P<0.0001) higher in winter (2.0 [1.2–3.0] ng/l) than in late spring (0.0 [0.0–0.0] ng/l). Serum insulin concentration was significantly (P = 0.02) influenced by season (winter 31.7 [9.6–43.5] miu/l; late spring 84.0 [7.0–131.0] miu/l). Plasma triglyceride concentration was significantly (P = 0.02) higher in PL (0.5 [0.3–0.7] mmol/l) than in NL ponies (0.4 [0.2–0.5] mmol/l). Conclusions There were significant effects of season, gender and bodyweight on a number of proinflammatory mediators or markers of inflammation. The only marker influenced by laminitis status was adiponectin, and concentrations of this anti‐inflammatory marker were lower in previously laminitic animals. Potential relevance Recurrent laminitis may be associated with reduced anti‐inflammatory capacity rather than a proinflammatory state.