Equine Laminitis

More detail on this condition is included in both publications

What is Laminitis?

Laminitis despite recent breakthroughs in understanding, is still a topic of poor comprehension. A simple explanation is that laminitis is an inflammation of the sensitive laminae in the horses feet. Inflammation means that the laminae's ability to attach to the pedal bone is reduced, and the pedal bone is allowed to drop backwards and downwards towards the horses sole. As a consequence, arteries and veins are damaged causing excruciating pain for the horse. Laminitis was long believed to be caused by the horse eating too much grass, but recent research has highlighted other causes (see section on discarding myths).

As many of you will have gathered, laminitis varies in its severity according to 3 phases:

The Developmental Phase

This is the first phase that a laminitic horse enters. There are little signs of the disease at this point, but it is now believed that lamellar damage has occurred before the horse feels pain in his hooves.

The Acute Phase

At this phase, the horse will begin to feel foot pain, and lameness is likely to be evident. This acute phase can last from the beginning of pain to when the pedal bone rotates or sinks in the hoof. The horse can at this stage make a good recovery if the pedal bone does not rotate significantly.

The Chronic Phase

When the pedal bone has rotated (mechanical failure) this stage begins. The horse is thus left with continuous mild or more severe pain with an abnormal hoof wall structure, which can last indefinitely.

Discarding Myths

• Laminitis can be caused by a range of factors. These include nutritional causes, mechanical causes, toxaemia, stress, drug related causes and due to Cushing's syndrome.
• Do not force the horse to walk, hose his feet or stand him in cold water
• Laminitis effects horses and ponies
• Laminitis effects all types of equine, from the fat native pony to the thoroughbred
• Do not starve the horse - starch levels can be high in bare paddocks

First Aid

The signs of laminitis include:

• A pounding digital pulse from the digital artery either side of the fetlock
• Pain in the feet and lameness
• Shifting weight between the feet
• Hot hooves
• Standing on the heels to relieve pressure on the front feet
• Reluctance to lift feet
• Reluctance to move
• Frequent lying down
• Depression around coronary band

If you recognise any of these signs contact your vet immediately, Laminitis is an emergency

Meanwhile:

• Get your horse away from the source of the laminitis e.g.. take him/her away from the feed bin.
• Minimize movement of the pedal bone by getting the horse onto a deep shavings bed (18") for support.
• Do NOT force him/her to move

Conventional Approaches

Your vet will probably fit frog supports. He will administer pain killers and possibly tranquilizing drugs such as ACP. If after approximately 3 days there is no improvement, X-Rays will be taken to determine damage. Surgical shoes may be suggested. The Equine Digit Support System (EDSS) is a common modern tool kit used to combat the effects of Laminitis. Your recovered horse will need a life time of careful management and shoeing. All cases it is important to note are individual and your vet will decide on the best course of action.

Complementary Approaches

Conventional veterinary treatment must be undertaken with immediate effect. However to aid recovery homoeopathic & herbal preparations may be a useful complementary treatment.

Long Term Outlook

It is important to note that laminitis is an extremely serious condition. However despite this it is quite possible for the horse to recover and perform well in later life. When your horse has recovered he will need careful management for the rest of his life. His feet must be trimmed regularly (usually with a reduced breakover point) and remedial shoeing must be used if necessary. He must not be allowed access to rich pasture and must be fed a high fibre, low starch diet . Grazing with a muzzle with a 1 inch hole cut into the bottom will allow your horse freedom as well as restricting his grass intake. In all cases, vigilance is the key, any sign of a recurrence and prompt action must be taken. The best way to detect inflammation within the foot is to monitor the horse's digital pulse. Careful negotiation between owner, farrier and vet will be needed for the rest of the horse's life.

Minimizing a Recurrence

You can take steps to reduce the likelihood of further attacks:

• Do NOT let your horse become overweight. Ideally you should be able to feel his ribs easily but not see them. Also, it helps if you regularly condition score your horse.
• If you feel slight heat in his feet or notice him shifting weight take action immediately. Stable your horse and call your vet.
• Regularly monitor the digital pulse. To do this, slide your fingers gently either side of the fetlock so that you can feel the digital artery. Press very lightly & you should be able to detect a pulse. Some horse's digital pulses are rather hard to detect, so practise regularly.

Owner Support

Despite the very serious nature of the disease, most cases can be helped. As said earlier, vigilance is crucial. If you check your horse's digital pulse and hoof temperature every day you will be able to notice subtle differences that may indicate an attack.