Understanding laminitis in equines - Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare

What is laminitis?

Laminitis affects tissue known as sensitive laminae and these are found in the horse’s hoof. These sensitive laminae act like velcro and form a strong bond, supporting the pedal bone within 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 this is extremely painful for the horse.

In extreme cases the pedal bone can rotate and even drop through the sole of the hoof, this would be extremely painful and in cases like this, euthanasia is likely the only option.

What is laminitis?

In extreme cases the pedal bone can rotate and even drop through the sole of the hoof, this would be extremely painful and in cases like this, euthanasia is likely the only option.

How to spot laminitis:

a strong digital pulse
heat in the hoof
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
Supplemented hay
Soaked Hay
Appropriate rugging
Regular insulin blood tests to monitor seasonal changes

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 may be more suitable for some equines.

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.

Avoid turning 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. Body condition scoring is also a very important tool. 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.

Avoid turning 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. Body condition scoring is also a very important tool. 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.

Did you know?

EMS (Equine metabolic syndrome) and PPID (Cushing’s disease) are hormonal diseases, and both conditions relate to high insulin level, which could lead to laminitis.

Spot the signs:

EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) – obesity, increased drinking and urination, 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 and loss of muscle.

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.

If you think your horse is at risk, there are many ways your vet can support you, and prevention is always best.