Representations of Laminitis

Below are simple pictorial representations of laminitis

1a ©

Diagram 1a shows the normal horse's foot. The pedal bone is lying parallel to the front of the hoof wall, there is no downwards rotation or inflammation in the foot.

1b ©

Diagram 1b shows the horse's foot when the animal is suffering from severe acute laminitis. Compare this with 1a. Here the pedal bone is no longer parallel to the front of the hoof wall. There is downwards rotation of the pedal bone and the tip of the bone is lying very close to the sole of the horse's foot. The bone has pulled the laminae away with it and the space that has been left has filled with blood.

1c ©

This diagram shows what the horse's foot may look like from below, during an attack of acute laminitis. Inflammation can be seen all around the perimeter of the horse's foot.

2 ©

This diagram is of a heart bar shoe. This type of shoe is commonly applied to the horse's feet to restore the alignment of the pedal bone and to offer support to it.