What is Laminitis?

What is Laminitis?

Commonly know as founder, laminitis is caused by a metabolic disease. Inside the hoof there is a structure called laminae that is made up of epithelium tissue. The laminae is what supports the distal phalanx or coffin bone and hoof wall. Laminitis is when the laminae start’s to degenerate. When the laminae starts to degenerate there is no support for the coffin bone inside of the hoof wall. Depending on the severity the coffin bone can actually go through the sole of the hoof. Laminitis can affect all four feet but it is the most common in the forelimbs.

Types of Laminitis

There are four types of laminitis that vary in their severity. The type can be caused by their lifestyle, like developmental laminitis. However, all horses are subject to laminitis. The types include developmental laminitis, acute laminitis, subacute laminitis, and chronic laminitis.

Signs associated with Laminitis

The signs of laminitis are lameness. Pain in the feet located on the proximal end towards the digits. The pulse that is found on the digit is very strong. The way the horse is standing is an abnormal stance. This usually consists of the front legs stretched out with the back legs tucked underneath like picture at the right. Laminitis can also affect the gait of the horse. The horse may have a shortened gait and you may have trouble getting the horse to turn. Due to the pain the horse may be tachycardia and have an increased respiratory rate. The horse may present with an elevated temperature being pyrexia. The affected limbs will be warm to the touch and if touched around the coronary band it may be hot. Also pain will be demonstrated by laying down for long periods of time, which is very unusual for a horse. Pain will also be d...

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... depending on the severity of the laminitis depends on how the shoeing should be done. One type of shoeing may work for one horse but the next horse it may not work for so communication is very important when trying to get a method of shoeing that will work for your horse’s case of laminitis. An example of a way to shoe a horse with a moderate degree of rotation would be to trim the toe back and trim the heel. Also a frog support may be used. Use deep bedding in the stall for extra support and cushion for the sole of the hoof. Horses that get laminitis and recover are going to have a higher risk of developing it again. It is very important to eliminate the cause in order to prevent laminitis from happening again. In severe cases it may be taken in consideration euthanasia due to the infection, necrosis, and the sinking of the coffin bone in to the sole of the hoof.