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Many owners are wary of their horse getting laminitis, and with good reason; this extremely painful condition has significant implications on horse welfare so becoming clued up on the causes and warning signs of laminitis is well worth your time. Laminitis affects so many horses and ponies that it is one of the most studied conditions, and the research carried out helps us to understand why some horses are more susceptible to it and how to manage them. What is laminitis? Laminitis is a serious but common inflammatory condition of the laminae in horses’ feet. The laminae are a bit like Velcro and bond the hoof wall to pedal bone. When they become inflamed the hoof gets very sore and can result in the pedal bone rotating under the weight of the horse. In some extreme cases the bone can protrude through the sole of the foot. Any horse, pony or donkey can get laminitis, although there are some equines that will be at higher risk. It is a complicated condition and there’s a whole spectrum of things that can lead to laminitis. A large percentage of laminitis cases are caused by underlying endocrine conditions such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID or more commonly known as Cushing’s Disease). Over the past 8-10 years, owners are becoming more informed about endocrine diseases, and by identifying horses at risk, measures are put in place to keep them on track to prevent laminitis occurring. Equine obesity is another contributing factor; not only due to the additional weight the laminae has to support, but through hormonal activity of fat cells in fatty tissue. Here on the Isle of Wight we have lush nutrient-rich pastures – historically intended for dairy farming. This really good quality grass can actually be too rich for horses and ponies and is a far cry from the scrubby land they would live on in the wild. Just take a look at parts of the New Forest and you’ll get a good idea of the type of diet their digestive system is designed to process. If a horse overloads on carbohydrates, it upsets the microbial balance in the hindgut, affecting the pH and the mucosal lining allowing absorption of toxins, which lead to a weakening of the support given to the pedal bone by the laminae. Additionally an increase of glucose entering the bloodstream from the small intestine causes insulin levels to rise, and research has shown that high levels of insulin in the blood can cause rapid onset laminitis. While as many as 90% of cases are caused by an underlying endocrine condition, other cases can be caused by a traumatic injury such as a horse kicking out and striking a wall, or if the horse has a wound and is reluctant to weight bear on that leg, excess weight is put on the other leg and can lead to laminitis. Spotting the signs and symptoms When we picture laminitis many horse owners are familiar with the classic stance of a horse leaning back on their heels, but there are a number of other more subtle signs to keep a look out for. You might see your horse is reluctant to turn, and shuffles round rather than clearly stepping and crossing their feet over. If you notice them shifting their weight from foot to foot, have a shortened stride, or have become ‘footy’ on hard or stony ground this could also be an early warning. Detection of a strong digital pulse or abnormal heat in the hoof wall are also indicators of laminitis. If you’re unsure call your vet to discuss the symptoms – it’s always better to be safe than sorry. You know your horse better than anyone so trust your instincts of when something just ‘isn’t quite right’; being clued up and knowing what’s normal for your horse can really help with early detection of laminitis. Although it is a complex condition, the great news is that by taking some precautionary measures, owners can reduce the risk of their horses suffering with laminitis. Keeping your horse at a healthy weight is the first major step. It’s tempting to overdo feed and hay, but many horses need a lot less than we think to keep a good weight and feeding according to workload is key. Weighing your horses’ hay is a simple measure you can put in place to ensure he’s getting the right amount. If your horse is a greedy eater, consider double netting or try out a trickle net to slow down consumption. For horses that are on overweight, rugging less in winter can help burn up some of those fat stores. Treatment When caught quickly most horses and ponies will recover from laminitis but there is no guarantee. Even what appear to be simple cases can lead to catastrophic changes within the foot. Watching a horse or pony suffering from laminitis is a very hard thing to see. Mild cases that are nutritionally-triggered can be resolved through changes in diet, but it’s always wise to speak to your vet to get accurate advice for your horses or pony. Swift action is essential to ensure a successful recovery. If your horse has been diagnosed with laminitis, it’s important to keep them in and restrict movement as much as possible. They’ll be given some anti-inflammatory painkillers to help alleviate some of the discomfort they’re experiencing and will be closely monitored. Specific treatment for the underlying cause of the laminitic attack will also be started. The pre-laminitis screening package Prevention is always better than cure and as laminitis is one of the most studied conditions, the greater depth of research and advances in veterinary medicine has given new ways to assess for signs of laminitis. This Spring, Vectis Equine Vets is offering a pre-laminitis screening package which is designed to give owners an idea of their horses’ likelihood to be affected by the condition and how to prevent it. The package includes two blood tests taken an hour apart to assess the absorption rate of sugar and the horses’ response to it. The first blood test measures the level of resting insulin to give a baseline and also their ACTH levels to check for Cushing’s disease. This lets us know if your horse is at risk for laminitis on their current regime. The horse is then fed a known volume of “Karolite” and a second blood test is carried out an hour later to measure their glucose and insulin levels. The responding insulin and glucose levels mimic what would happen if your horse was turned out onto lush pasture. This gives an idea of whether it’s safe to turn out your horse onto the spring grass. During the time between blood tests our vets will give your horse a thorough medical exam and will advise you on suitable feeding to suit their workload and what alternative surfaces are safe to turn out on if grass isn’t an option. The package also includes some amazing freebies including hay scales, a Body Condition Scoring booklet, body condition scoring poster and a weigh tape. We even throw in a free visit! If you would like more information about the pre-laminitis screening package please contact us on 01983 533799.