Provide good, routine health and hoof care. If you suspect laminitis, consider it a medical emergency and notify your veterinarian immediately. CAUSES While the exact mechanisms by which the feet are damaged remain a mystery, certain precipitating events can produce laminitis.
The causes vary and may include the following: Digestive upsets due to grain overload such as excess grain, fruit or snacks or abrupt changes in diet. Sudden access to excessive amounts of lush forage before the horse's system has had time to adapt; this type of laminitis is known as "grass founder.
High fever or illness; any illness that causes high fever or serious metabolic disturbances has the potential to cause laminitis, e. Severe colic. Retained placenta in the mare after foaling. Excessive concussion to the feet, often referred to as "road founder.
Various primary foot diseases. Bedding that contains black walnut shavings. Although controversial, prolonged use or high doses of corticosteroids may contribute to the development of laminitis in some horses.
RISK FACTORS Factors that seem to increase a horse's susceptibility to laminitis or increase the severity of the condition when it does occur include the following: Heavy breeds, such as draft horses Overweight body High nutritional plane feeding large amounts of carbohydrate-rich meals Ponies, Morgans, miniature horses and donkeys Unrestricted grain binges, such as when a horse breaks into the feed room if this happens, do not wait until symptoms develop to call your veterinarian-- call immediately so corrective action can be taken before tissue damage progresses Horses who have had previous episodes of laminitis Older horses with Cushing's disease SIGNS Signs of acute laminitis include the following: Lameness, especially when a horse is turning in circles; shifting lameness when standing.
Heat in the feet. Increased digital pulse in the feet most easily palpable over either sesamoid bone at the level of the fetlock. Pain in the toe region when pressure is applied with hoof testers.
Reluctant or hesitant gait "walking on eggshells". A "sawhorse stance," with the front feet stretched out in front to alleviate pressure on the toes and the hind feet positioned under them to support the weight that their front feet cannot. Signs of chronic laminitis may include the following: Rings in hoof wall that become wider as they are followed from toe to heel.
Bruised soles or "stone bruises. Dropped soles or flat feet. Thick, "cresty" neck. Dished hooves, which are the result of unequal rates of hoof growth the heels grow at a faster rate than the rest of the hoof, resulting in an "Aladdin-slipper" appearance.
Treatment will depend on specific circumstances but may include the following: Diagnosing and treating the primary problem laminitis is often due to a systemic or general problem elsewhere in the horse's body.
Premium content is for our Digital-only and Premium subscribers. A Print-only subscription doesn't qualify. KEYWORDS acute laminitis Baseline radiographs Chronic Laminitis contralateral limb laminitis deep digital flexor tendon distal displacement distal phalanx frog pressure gastrointestinal problems lamellar pathology laminar damage respiratory disease retained fetal membranes Stephen O'Grady treatment Vet's corner.
Managing Hoof Abscesses. Campbell, Texas, farrier and American Farriers Team member Sawyer Spradling demonstrates his approach to tuning a distorted pritchel to a punch, a skill that has served him well when he travels to clinics and competitions. Top Directory Listings. Life Data Labs Inc. First-class ingredients, fresh products, consistent high quality and scientifically proven effectiveness are the principal features of Life Data Labs animal health products.
In order to access some of our exclusive free content, you must be signed into TheHorse. Start your free account today! Username or Email Address. Remember Me. Stephen E. He learned farriery through a formal apprenticeship under Hall of Fame farrier Joseph M. Pierce of West Chester, Penn. Since that time, he has operated a private practice in Virginia and South Africa, with a large portion of the practice devoted to equine podiatry.
He has published numerous articles and lectured extensively on equine foot problems. His web site is www. The biggest Posted by Stephen E. Favorite Share:. Create a free account with TheHorse. Sign Up Already have an account? About The Author. Next Unqualified Success. Related Posts. Dead space. Search Search for:. Weekly Poll:.
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