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Laminitis is a serious hoof disease found in equines (e.g. horses, ponies, donkeys). Although it is very rare for laminitis to kill a horse directly, severe cases can result in the horse being put down for humane reasons (horse is in pain) or economic factors (horse is crippled and can no longer be used). Such euthanasia is sufficiently common that laminitis has become the second most common cause of premature horse death.
The term ‘laminitis’ comes from ‘laminae’, which is the tissue which connects the hoof bone (correctly known as the pedal bone) to the hoof wall. Damage to this tissue is known as ‘laminitis’. In mild cases the tissue becomes inflamed and begins to break down, reducing the strength of the bone-wall connection. In more severe cases the connection is reduced to the point that the bone begins to move, rotating within the hoof and sinking down. In extreme cases, the hoof will actually go through the sole of the hoof. As the bone moves, it can cause further damage to blood vessels and other surrounding tissues. Longer term, this damage affects the hoof repair and growth mechanisms, resulting in various types and degree of abnormal growth (e.g. convex or flat sole, hoof wall rings, separation of sole and hoof wall). In mild cases, the horse can return to normal activities. In more severe cases, the horse will need to be retired or put down.
The term ‘founder’ is related to ‘laminitis’, but is used in different ways by different people. Some people use the term founder interchangeably with laminitis, others to describe the more advanced forms of laminitis (e.g. substantial hoof bone movement or the bone penetrating the sole).
There are various causes of laminitis but they can be grouped into three categories. The first is overly rich feed, which upsets digestion, resulting in the release of toxins into the blood, where they then travel to the laminae and cause inflammation and tissue break down. The second category is mechanical separation, where the laminae is damaged from repeated shocks to the hooves (from running or jumping or hard ground). The third category is toxins, either ingested in the feed, or produced internally as a result of an infection.
In developed countries, toxic damage most often occurs when the pasture or feed is too high in carbohydrates or nitrogen. Consequently, one needs to avoid excessive amounts of rich feeds (e.g. grain) or lush pasture. Pasture is richer in the spring, after rain which follows a drought, or if it has been fertilized, so one should be careful of allowing sensitive breeds to graze on these pasture types. Some breeds are more sensitive than others and ponies are generally more sensitive than horses to rich food. For sensitive breeds one should restrict the amount of rich food (e.g. grain) and keep them off of rich pastures. One way to allow horses onto pasture but to restrict the amount eaten is to use a grazing muzzle.
For both competition horses and pleasure horses, one should try to avoid working them on hard ground, as the repeated shocks can cause mechanical damage to the laminae. When travelling over hard surfaces, try reducing the pace as there is less shock when walking than when running. Shock absorbency can be improved by correct trimming, especially avoid trimming for long toes or over-trimming. Ensure that shoeing is done by a competent professional, if the horse is shoed. Consider the use of shock absorbing shoes (they have a rubber component) or shock absorbing boots, both of which are being increasing used, even during professional competitions.
The third major cause of laminitis is toxins which are unrelated to overly rich feed. This includes toxins which are ingested (e.g. through moldy hay, or grass which has been treated with herbicides) or toxins which are produced due to an infection within the horse. Ensure that food does not contain fungus, mold or chemicals. Ensure that any infections are promptly and aggressively treated, before they can result in toxin overload leading to laminitis.
Doug Stewart is the author of Laminitis and Founder.
Tags: equine, founder, horse, horse disease, horse illnesses, Horses, laminitis, Pets
Posted in Horses · November 18th, 2009 · Comments (0)
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