Laminitis in Horses

Laminitis in horses

Equine laminitis is a common disease in which inflammation of the laminae of the hoof leads to severe pain. Research shows that as many as 85% of horses affected by laminitis also have underlying metabolic diseases such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS).

Laminitis is a serious disease that causes great suffering and in the worst cases leads to the horse having to be euthanized. It can affect any equine, but is most commonly seen in pony breeds. Symptoms appear when inflammation of the laminae of the hoof leads to pain and altered movement patterns. 

 

Laminitis signs in horses

Laminitis symptoms range from stiffness and short steps, particularly on hard ground, to the classic laminitic stance where the horse stands with its body weight shifted backwards, its front hooves placed in front of it and its hind legs tucked under it. In severe laminitis, the horse may be in so much pain that it becomes recumbent (lays down). 

Some of the symptoms of laminitis to look out for include:

• signs of discomfort, such as reluctance to move, facial tension or depression
• a walk which looks ‘pottery’, where the heel is set down before the toe
• extreme lameness when turning on a hard surface
• excessive heat in the feet
• a strong or bounding digital pulse
• front limbs placed in front of the body with his weight on his heels (some horses may rock back on their heels) to relieve the pain over the toe area
• general stiffness
• alternate lifting of his feet and shifting of weight when standing

Early intervention is crucial to improve the horse’s prognosis for a full recovery. 

 

What causes laminitis in horses?

• The most well-known cause of laminitis is an underlying metabolic disorder, most notably EMS or insulin dysregulation (ID). Inability to maintain blood insulin at normal levels in response to carbohydrates is associated with an increased risk of developing ID.
• Diseases such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, aka Cushing’s Disease), sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) (sepsis-related laminitis).
• A disturbance of the gut flora can occur when the horse or pony is fed large amounts of concentrated feed or is put out on heavy green pasture. Therefore, make sure that the horse is gradually accustomed to grazing and feed changes.
• Keep an eye on the horse's conformation and don't let it get too fat. Although obesity itself does not cause laminitis, it increases the risk of developing EMS.
• A very severe intestinal flora disruption such as after abdominal surgery, severe diarrhoea, or liver damage and infections, can lead to the production of endotoxins (toxins). Endotoxaemia can trigger laminitis.
• Another example is when a mare does not release the afterbirth normally after giving birth. The retained afterbirth leads to bacterial growth that releases endotoxins and can lead to laminitis with a very rapid progression.
• Horses that have a severe lameness for a prolonged period of time may suffer from laminitis due to weight bearing too much on the opposite leg. Similarly, horses that have been running on asphalt can suffer from inflammation of the laminae. 

Preventing and managing laminitis

There are ways to prevent and manage laminitis. These include:

Weight management

Overweight horses are more predisposed to laminitis, so it’s important to monitor your horse’s weight closely and notice if they have lost or gained weight and make changes to his exercise and diet as necessary. Weight-taping and fat scoring are good ways to monitor weight.  

Natural weight loss

Using rugs to keep an overweight horse warm is counter-productive as it means they won’t use any excess energy to stay warm. Instead of unused calories being laid down as excess fat, the horse can use the calories to keep warm. 

Restrict grass 

Horse can consume a vast amount of calories when eating grass, especially lush grass, so restricting their grazing time using strip grazing track systems or grazing muzzles can help. 

Slow down eating

Encouraging your horse to trickle-feed using small-holed haynets and hay balls can help to slow the consumption of food and prevent horses standing around feeling hungry. 

Exercise plan

As long as your horse is sound and comfortable, one of the best ways to help manage their weight is to exercise them. A fit horse is a healthy one. If you’re trying to get weight off, an exercise plan will help to burn excess calories. If your horse is recovering from laminitis, speak to your vet and farrier for advice on when and how to introduce exercise.

 

Treatment

Your vet will advise you on the best treatment for your horse. This can include:

• painkillers
• extended box rest on a deep bed of shavings
• therapeutic trimming and shoeing
• dietary changes

X-rays may be necessary to assess how much the pedal bone has rotated, if at all. In cases where the bone has dropped through the sole, euthanasia may be the only option to prevent the horse from suffering.