13/05/2021
Be aware that with the warmer climate will come the spring grass which can greatly increase the risk of laminitis in some equines.
- What is Laminitis and what causes it?
Laminitis is inflammation of the ‘laminae’ of the horses’ foot, which attach the hoof wall to the pedal bone of the foot. We now know that there are 3 main causes of laminitis: Overload, Inflammatory and Metabolic. In relation to the current Lamicrisis, this post will focus on metabolic laminitis which is the leading cause of laminitis in the UK.
- Metabolic Laminitis:
Metabolic causes include Cushing’s disease (pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction; PPID) and equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) – two completely different diseases where horses display abnormally high levels of the hormone Insulin and an excessive insulin response to starches (main carbohydrate in grains) or sugars (main carbohydrates in grasses and hay) in horse feed.
- Cushing’s Disease:
A disease of ageing, where the control of pituitary gland hormone secretion is lost; leading to excessive secretion from a certain part of the gland. If a horse has this condition, there may be a variety of clinical signs which may include: a long hair coat due to delayed shedding, sweating, loss of muscle mass, development of a pot belly and drinking excessively. Some of the hormones produced from the pituitary also affect carbohydrate metabolism and can predispose to laminitis.
Cushing’s disease is not caused by obesity.
- EMS:
EMS tends to occur in genetically predisposed breeds (especially native ponies), and is significantly worsened by obesity. This does not mean that all fat horses or ponies have EMS, but obesity will worsen carbohydrate metabolism/insulin resistance; resulting in excessive insulin response and predisposition to laminitis.
- Why is there a currently a LAMI-CRISIS?!
After a mild winter and warm, wet start to the year we are seeing record numbers of laminitic horses and native ponies! Obesity is the constant theme between most of the cases we’re seeing currently, along with overfeeding.
Horses with insulin resistance that eat high carbohydrate diets (e.g. high starch in grain diets or high sugars in rich pasture or good quality hay diets) develop high insulin (hyperinsulinaemia) which causes laminitis!
- What can you do to prevent laminitis?
+ Ensure your horse/pony does not become overweight – and if they are then diet them! We can provide free advice on nutrition and weight loss.
+ Native breeds in light-moderate work DO NOT require supplementary feeding AT ALL!
+ Feed low sugar/carbohydrate diets & consider muzzling your horse at grass!
+ Keep your horse fit, regular exercise is linked with better insulin sensitivity and better prognosis in EMS positive horses/ponies!
- Signs of Laminitis?
The early signs of laminitis include lameness or a ‘pottery’ gait, particularly on stony or uneven ground; often combined with a change in demeanour/character. Horses predominantly develop laminitis in the front feet but all four are often affected with metabolic laminitis. Heat in the hooves and bounding digital pulses are also common.
- What to do?
Contact your vet immediately! Laminitis has a better prognosis if treated early and metabolic laminitis needs a diagnosis (often by blood test) in order to treat the underlying cause effectively! X-rays are often required to guide prognosis and remedial farriery etc.
+ Box rest your horse on a deep shavings bed awaiting your veterinary appointment; movement during laminitis makes rotation/sinking of the pedal bone much more likely!
