Laminitis cripples thousands of horses every year. According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), "Laminitis (sometimes called founder) is a specific condition of the foot that can produce lameness. Laminitis is characterized by inflammation and destruction of the cellular bond between the sensitive and insensitive laminae of the hoof."
Barbaro, a Kentucky Derby winner, is probably the most well-known horse to fall victim to Laminitis. He did not die in vain, as his death has brought great attention to this diabolical disease. And, as a result, money for research on this ailment flooded in.
There are several causes of Laminitis. Your horse's diet plays a significant role. Changes in your horse’s diet should be made slowly, since dietary variations can be a cause of Laminitis, as well.
Grazing on lush green spring grass, for instance, can lead to Laminitis.
Getting into the feed room and gorging on too much feed, or eating lawn clippings, may also be a cause of this illness.
Is hay a potential culprit? Yes, the consumption of hay, especially fine (non-coarse) hay can cause Laminitis.
Is it possible that a lot of walking on asphalt could cause Laminitis? Sure, it most definitely could. Walking on concrete should be avoided. Be creative and find alternate routes.
If a horse retains some membranes after giving birth to a foal it could lead to the development of Laminitis in a mare.
It's important to note that ponies and thick crested horses are more susceptible to Laminitis than other horses. You could elect to only own horses that are less apt to get this illness.
Well, we now know that there are a number of factors that can cause Laminitis in a horse. As one might imagine, the best remedy for this condition is prevention. Fortunately, there are some preventative steps you can take to lower the probability that your horse contracts this hoof ailment.
Preventative Measures
Good stable and dietary management will help prevent Laminitis. When lush spring grass comes in, and your horse looks longingly across the fence, let them in to graze but, limit the time they spend consuming it. Gradually let them eat for longer periods each day, for a two-week period. Then, break it off for a bit (say, 2 weeks).
Consider horse food called, "Happy Hoof". Our horses had a serious hoof disease. One of the things that helped them overcome this illness was Happy Hoof. It's apparent that they enjoy the taste, too.
Good all-around horse management is the prime key to preventing Laminitis in an equine. Some methods to bring this about were covered in this article. By constantly applying the preventative measures listed here, the odds of catching this dreadful disease can be reduced significantly.
If you think your horse is suffering from this disease, don't rely on the above listed steps, alone. As has been stated, Laminitis is a serious problem. The survival of a horse who has it is not guaranteed, even after the best of care. So, try as many solutions as possible.
See a horse veterinarian, as soon as possible. Be sure to seek the assistance of a specialist. Ask the horse veterinarians you contact who they recommend to combat Laminitis. You might also ask horse enthusiasts in online horse forums what vet they used to deal with this affliction.
Anna Persson is a syndicated horse columnist. She is the editor of "Happy Horse News", a newsletter catering to horse lovers. Subscribe now and discover horse tips, stories, sayings, jokes, pictures, freebies and equine tack.
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