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  • Blog
  • September 1 2024

Understanding laminitis in equines

What is laminitis?

A horse’s hoof is made up of many layers: an outer sensitive layer known as the horn and then an inner sensitive layer known as laminae. The laminae act like Velcro and form a strong bond to support the structures of the hoof.

When a horse gets laminitis, the blood flow to the laminae is affected and as a result causes inflammation to the tissues within the hoof, the laminae is stretched and weakened and is extremely painful for the horse.

Laminitis can occur in all feet but is most common in the front two. The laminae in the hoof supports the pedal bone, which can sink due to lack of support, and spotted protruding through to the foot. Unfortunately, this is usually irreversible and, in most cases, would lead to euthanasia.

Finding the cause quickly is crucial, as inflammation means the laminae is starved of oxygen and nutrient rich blood, and the laminae beings to die.

What is laminitis?

A horse’s hoof is made up of many layers: an outer sensitive layer known as the horn and then an inner sensitive layer known as laminae. The laminae act like Velcro and form a strong bond to support the structures of the hoof.

When a horse gets laminitis, the blood flow to the laminae is affected and as a result causes inflammation to the tissues within the hoof, the laminae is stretched and weakened and is extremely painful for the horse.

Laminitis can occur in all feet but is most common in the front two. The laminae in the hoof supports the pedal bone, which can sink due to lack of support, and spotted protruding through to the foot. Unfortunately, this is usually irreversible and, in most cases, would lead to euthanasia.

Finding the cause quickly is crucial, as inflammation means the laminae is starved of oxygen and nutrient rich blood, and the laminae beings to die.

How to spot laminitis:

  • A strong digital pulse
  • heat in the hoof for long periods
  • changes to the shape and angle of the hoof (rings in the hoof wall)
  • bruising to the sole of foot
  • shortened stride or stiffened gait
  • shifting weight from foot to foot.

Early prevention is always best

Careful monitoring of a horse or pony’s diet is key to preventing any laminitis episodes as obesity is one of the biggest contributing factors:

  • Horses that are prone, should be fed diets low in starch and sugar with restricted/well managed grass intake – use of muzzles, strip grazing, bare paddocks with supplemented hay.
  • Always feed little and often – mimicking a horse’s natural feeding pattern.
  • Do not leave horses without food for more than 4 hours, they will not lose weight by starving, they will instead be at risk of other serious health problems like hyperlipemia (abnormally high levels of lipids in the blood).
  • Often sugar levels are lower at night so overnight turnout can be more beneficial than daytime turnout.

Regular exercise and weighing


An appropriate exercise regime is essential. Many of our equines at Raystede are retired but they can still enjoy hand walks, long reining, and gentle lunging on the soft surface.

  • Do not turn your horse out on frosty ground or lush grass as the sugar content is extremely high.
  • A fully qualified and experienced farrier is very important.
  • Regular weighing or use of weigh tape, as body condition scoring is very important. Do this by feeling the horse or pony with your hands, ensuring you carefully check for a cresty neck and any other fat pockets. The British Horse Society offer very good advice and tools on this.
  • Any signs of your equine becoming ‘footy’ or appearing to have a gait that is unusual, remove them from the grass and contact your vet.
  • If your horse is cresty, has a strong digital pulse and the grass is likely high in sugars (long, lush, frosty, just had lots of rain and then sunshine) it is worth decreasing the time out on grass for your equine.

Regular exercise and weighing


An appropriate exercise regime is essential. Many of our equines at Raystede are retired but they can still enjoy hand walks, long reining, and gentle lunging on the soft surface.

  • Do not turn your horse out on frosty ground or lush grass as the sugar content is extremely high.
  • A fully qualified and experienced farrier is very important.
  • Regular weighing or use of weigh tape, as body condition scoring is very important. Do this by feeling the horse or pony with your hands, ensuring you carefully check for a cresty neck and any other fat pockets. The British Horse Society offer very good advice and tools on this.
  • Any signs of your equine becoming ‘footy’ or appearing to have a gait that is unusual, remove them from the grass and contact your vet.
  • If your horse is cresty, has a strong digital pulse and the grass is likely high in sugars (long, lush, frosty, just had lots of rain and then sunshine) it is worth decreasing the time out on grass for your equine.

Diseases linked with inflammation that can cause laminitis:

Hormonal laminitis

EMS (Equine metabolic syndrome) and PPID (Cushing’s disease) are hormonal diseases, and both conditions relate to high insulin levels.

Spot the signs:

EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) – obesity, sluggishness, acute laminitis flare ups.

PPID (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction) – increased thirst and appetite, a coat that is thick and or curly, excessive sweating, weight loss.

Inflammatory laminitis

Eating large amounts of carbohydrates can overload the equine digestive system. Undigested sugar and starch is pushed through the hindgut and is rapidly broken down. This process can cause damage to the gut and toxins enter the bloodstream. Remember to work alongside your vet and nutritionist when planning a suitable diet for your equines.

Colic

Colic can also cause inflammatory laminitis due to the gut being severely damaged after a colic episode.

Stress

Dramatic or frequent changes in environment can contribute to stress levels and increase the risk. Mares after foaling can also be at risk due to physical stress.

Obesity

Equine obesity is an ongoing issue and is often the cause. An overweight horse suffers a lot of strain on their vital organs, as well as their limbs. Most native breeds are ‘good doers’ and do very well on short, well grazed pastures. It’s important that your horse is not consuming more calories than it can burn off. The general rule is to feed 1.5-2% of their ideal body weight in roughage in a 24-hour period.

Can laminitis be cured?

With early diagnosis and careful management, horses with laminitis can make a good recovery. But in many cases, damage to the hoof cannot be reversed. Prevention is always better than cure.