With the spring flush of grass now coming through we are starting to see several cases of laminitis. > This is an inflammatory condition of the feet which causes lameness in horses and ponies. The laminae that bond the hoof wall to the pedal bone becomes inflamed, causing excruciating pain. This can result in the pedal bone rotating within the hoof under the weight of the horse, and in extreme cases, this can result in the pedal bone penetrating the sole of the foot.
Symptoms of laminitis include:
> Reluctance to walk/walking with a short, pottery gait
> Hot feet with increased digital pulses
> Rocking back on the hind feet (to try to take weight off the front feet)
> Lying down more often
> Weight shifting when standing
Classic risk factors associated with laminitis include:
> The flush of grass seen in spring and summer months
> Obesity
> Ponies are more susceptible than horses
> Older in age
> Hormonal diseases, such as PPID and EMS
Laminitis can also be seen in the following emergency situations, both of which require an emergency veterinary call!
> Mares who haven’t cleansed after foaling (mares should cleanse within 4hrs of foaling)
> Grain overload (eg getting into a feed store)
PREVENTION IS KEY
Some horses that have had previous bouts of laminitis will be prone to future bouts, making prevention a key part of the routine.
Various medicines may be used for pain control and diet can be altered to reduce factors likely to cause or contribute to the condition.
Reduced grazing hours will help to reduce the carbohydrate (spring grass) intake, as can the use of a grazing muzzle.
If you think your horse has laminitis contact us to speak to one of our Equine Vets. T: 01608 730085 ☎️
We also have an online checklist you can download to see if your horse is displaying signs associated with laminitis.Laminitis Checklist
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