Laminitis is a serious, painful and common condition, which can affect any horse, pony, donkey or mule. This blog article outlines what laminitis is, as well as what you should do if you suspect your horse or pony has laminitis.
Laminitis is a condition that occurs when the laminae are inflamed. The laminae support the pedal bone within the hoof, if they are inflamed they can come apart resulting in movement or rotation of the pedal bone. This is very painful for the horse or pony. The symptoms of laminitis include a strong digital pulse (felt at the back of the fetlock), reluctance to walk forward or turn, excessive heat in the foot and shifting weight when at rest.
It is important to understand that laminitis is a veterinary emergency that requires immediate first aid and treatment. Always call your vet straight away if you suspect laminitis.
In around 90% of cases, an underlying hormonal disease is to blame. Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Cushing’s Disease (also known as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction / PPID) are the main hormonal disorders linked to laminitis. However, a variety of things can trigger the inflammatory response we recognise as laminitis. Inflammatory responses often occur after a carbohydrate overload – gorging on spring grass is noted to trigger laminitis.
Laminitis can also occur as a result of mechanical issues. A horse that is unable to bear weight on one limb may be at risk of laminitis in the opposite limb, because it is carrying far more weight than it would usually.
Overweight horses and ponies are also at a much higher risk of developing laminitis. Sudden weight gain in particular can more than double the risk of laminitis.
Furthermore, horses and ponies that have had one bout of laminitis are more likely to suffer from recurrent episodes. Recurrent laminitis should be treated just as seriously as the first episode.
Read our guide to the causes of laminitis in horses for more information.
When it comes to laminitis, prevention is better than cure. Owners of horses or ponies known to have had laminitis in the past should be especially vigilant and take additional measures to prevent recurrence.
Effective weight management is the number one thing horse owners can do to prevent laminitis. Regular weight monitoring and fat scoring is important. Whilst weight tapes may not be as accurate as having your horse step onto the scales, they can provide an indication of whether your horse is gaining or losing weight when used regularly.
Prompt diagnosis and effective management of hormonal disorders is also important. EMS and PPID are both associated with laminitis, so seeking advice from your vet is key.
Finally, as laminitis can be caused by abnormal weight bearing, it is important to have any lameness investigated promptly. Whilst your horse may only seem “a little bit lame”, looks can be deceiving as horses can be very good at hiding pain. Furthermore, the condition causing the lameness can deteriorate if it is not investigated and dealt with properly, which can cause further complications. If you suspect your horse is lame (even if you don’t suspect laminitis), give your vet a call and they will be able to carry out a full lameness examination.
Read our guide to laminitis prevention for more information.
Our equine vets are highly trained, dedicated and professional. We are always happy to advise clients on how to manage their horses’ weight and how to spot, prevent and manage laminitis in horses and ponies. Our equine vets are also very experienced in diagnosing and treating various causes of lameness in horses, and we provide thorough lameness examinations and effective treatment. Register your horse, pony, donkey or mule with our independent equine vet practice today.
