Laminitis is a potentially fatal disease that can affect 15% of horses at some point in their lives. If your horse has been diagnosed with Laminitis it takes skill on behalf of your vet and farrier to effectively treat the problem. Laminitis occurs when the laminae within the hoof becomes inflamed and so can no longer support the coffin bone and so the weight of the horse. This can lead to the coffin bone protruding through the sole.
These symptoms can be a sign that your horse is suffering from laminitis and vet attention should be sought immediately:
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Hot feet
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Reluctance to walk or unable to walk
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Weight shifting
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Increased heart rate and respiratory rate
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Pronounced arterial pulse
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Stance with front feet camped out and hind limbs under body
It is common knowledge that grazing horses on lush pasture causes laminitis but an underlying endocrine disorder such as Cushings and Equine Metabolic Syndrome are found in a massive majority of laminitis cases. A change in diet triggers laminitis in these already prone horses.
Steps to Reduce the Risks
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Avoid hoof trauma, such as hard or stoney ground
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Avoid feeds high in sugar or starch
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Manage paddocks and don’t graze your horse on lush grass
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Don’t make sudden changes to their diet
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Don’t allow your horse to graze on fertilized or frozen pastures
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Don’t allow your horse to be come overweight
What Can you do?
As the owner of a laminitic horse you must be dedicated to the animal’s treatment as, depending on the severity, it can be a long process. Hoof supports, medication and box rest are the most common treatments. Frog supports can be bandaged to your horse’s feet, being careful to avoid the painful coronet band, until the vet arrives. An open toe heart bar shoe can be used to help distribute the horse’s weight away from the diseased structures of the hoof and temporarily place some of the weight on the frog. A normal heart bar shoe could also be used. There are also several adjustable and plastic shoes specifically for laminitis.
Diet is also important and horses that are allowed to become overweight are more likely to suffer from laminitis. Hard feed should be avoided in horses that have previously suffered from laminitis (unless they are in very hard work) and a muzzle should be worn when they are grazing and strip grazing with electric fencing should be implemented, especially throughout the spring and autumn when the grass is lush.
Stem cell therapy has been put forward as a treatment for laminitis. It can have an anti-inflammatory affect but care must be taken with the application of stem cells that they do not block the capillaries in the foot which is detrimental to the horse’s foot health. This should be used as a last resort. Read more about current laminitis research here.
Laminitis is a serious disease with horses who suffer from it prone to repeated bouts. An increase in understanding of the endocrine diseases which cause laminitis ensures your vet will be able to help and advise you better than ever before.
As always with any gait abnormality, extra pressure can be placed on the horses musculoskeletal system. Getting your horse checked over by Emily at McTimoney Animal Therapy after the acute symptoms have subsided will ensure your horse can be painfree as quickly as possible.
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Areas covered in UK: Worcestershire and surrounding counties.
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