Laminitis in horses

Usually laminitis is caused by a metabolic disorder. This leads to inflammation between the hoof wall and the pedal bone. This inflammation causes swelling and fluid buildup, resulting in great pressure and pain. In severe cases, the laminae (which connect the pedal bone to the hoof capsule) can be damaged and detached. The detachment of the laminae can cause the pedal bone to rotate.

Laminitis is also known as founder.

Symptoms of laminitis

Usually, the first signs are that the horse begins to walk stiffly and stiffly. The hooves are warm and there is a thickened/painful coronary band. There is often a clear pulse in the hoof. If you notice this in your horse, it is wise to intervene immediately and make adjustments. Therefore, it is important that you know your horse, so that these changes are noticed quickly.

There are also other symptoms that indicate laminitis:

• Alternating weight shifting on the hooves
• Limping or even reluctance/inability to walk
• Typical laminitic stance where the horse leans back to relieve the front feet (this is not the case in a horse affected on all four legs)
• Horse cannot make turns
• Fever, sweating, and increased heart rate due to pain and inflammation
• Unable to stand up and clearly showing signs of illness

Causes of laminitis

There are three main causes of laminitis:

1. Metabolism: an incorrect diet (too much sugar) is often the cause of laminitis in the summer. The young, rich grass provides an abundance of sugars that the horse cannot process. This leads to toxins in the body, resulting in inflammation in the hoof. However, another cause that disrupts metabolism is the use of medications. Corticosteroids are known for this.

2. Disease: EMS and PPID (Cushing's disease) are known to cause laminitis. But also sepsis, severe diarrhea, and retained placenta can lead to laminitis. With serious illnesses, a sudden influx of toxins enters the bloodstream that end up in the hooves and cause issues.

3. Overload: Due to lameness in a specific leg, the horse may shift weight to relieve it. By relieving the lame leg, another leg may become overloaded. This can lead to laminitis. Working excessively on a hard surface can also lead to laminitis.

Difference between acute and chronic laminitis

Horses can become acutely laminitic, with symptoms appearing suddenly and very intensely. The horse is extremely lame and in a lot of pain. In cases of acute laminitis, immediate action by a veterinarian is necessary. This rapid action is needed to prevent the laminitis from becoming chronic, which can occur after just a few days.

In chronic laminitis, the pedal bone has already detached from the hoof wall. There is already a rotation of the pedal bone. In severe cases, the pedal bone can even penetrate through the sole.

Supporting a laminitic horse

A horse that is acutely laminitic should be examined immediately by a veterinarian. If possible, the veterinarian will take X-rays to determine if there is rotation of the pedal bone, and to what extent. The horse will receive pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications to try to halt the process of rotation.

It is also important to remove these horses from sugar-rich grass/feed or eliminate the other causes. Laminitic horses often prefer to be in a wet paddock, as this cools the hooves and provides some relief. The collaboration between the owner, veterinarian, and farrier is literally vital for the laminitic horse.

Can supplements provide support?

There are some supplements that can alleviate the suffering in cases of laminitis. However, they do not work quickly enough to provide immediate help. A product containing cannabinoids has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This can have a positive effect, especially on horses that are chronically affected.