laminitus

Laminitus is a seasonal problem, although occurrence is seen throughout the year. It effects horses and ponies in summer pasture and is the most debilitating of equine diseases.

If left unmanaged it is a recurring disease, very common in ponies.

Discover the closely guarded secrets to easing your horse's pain today laminitis

What is laminitis?

It is essentially inflammation of the lamellae of the hoof, causing damage to the lamiae of the hoof wall or, more properly, of the entire thickness of the layer of skin which intervenes between the hoof and the pedal or foot bone.

Causes of laminitis

Research is ongoing with laminitis. There are many factors, which play a precise role, but what we don’t know is how to counter their effects.

It is believed that it is down to the horse’s metabolism and the presence of the hormone insulin.

When a pony eats large amounts of carbohydrate, which is found in spring grass, it sets off events that can result in laminitis.

It is more commonly seen in the front feet. The onset of laminitis is usually sudden, and little or no warning of it is given of its oncoming.

The pony will stand with weight off the painful toe region. There will be heat in the hoof wall and bounding pulses can be felt at the back of the fetlocks and extreme lameness.

Laminitis in horses or ponies can affect the hind feet as well, and in this instance it will be difficult for the pony to move. He will stand fixed to the spot or possible fall to the ground. Do not try to move the horse, contact your vet.

Contact your vet when you first spot laminitis. Pain relief should be the number one priority. The farrier may also be required to stabilise the foot and in most cases remove the shoes.

Ensure the horse is on deep litter stable bedding which covers the whole of the stable area, to provide addition support.

The best products to use are shavings, hemp based products, sand or peat. Straw or paper do not pack down as much as other bedding products.

Eating large amounts of spring grass sets off the events that result in laminitus. The pony must be taken off the grass. Your vet and farrier will advice you on a weight loss programme, as all ponies are individuals.

A laminitic horse should be fed between 15 – 29% of its body weight per day in poor quality hay. The hay needs to have a carbohydrate (energy) value of less than 10%.

Soaking the hay will help reduce the protein levels. The pony will need restricted turn out.

Hard feed should only be fed if absolutely necessary and of a minimal amount. The horse should loose weight gradually, 1% of his body weight a week.

Vitamin and mineral levels should be maintained. Do not leave the stabled pony for long periods of time without fibre as this can increase the risk of gastric ulcers.

Horses and ponies with laminitus are often stabled for long periods of time due to restricted feeding. Greedy ponies will often eat their ration of hay within a short period of time.

To alleviate boredom use a small holed hay net. Feeding this way will prevent rapid forage consumption and reduce boredom for the stabled horse, as it will take twice the time to consume the feed.

Small holed hay nets encourage a slower more natural eating pattern and will ease boredom. A horse that is stabled for long periods of time could easily develop a stable vice

Laminitus results in lame horses and ponies and is a debilitating equine disease.

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