06/06/2023
Laminitis is rife this year! Well written post by Kelly Brown Equine Podiatrist on how to monitor your horse for signs of laminitis and ways to help reduce the risks
I think it’s past time we talk more about the current laminitis risks in the UK, so this post I’m going to talk a little bit about a couple of cases I’ve seen this week, and how you can help prevent the same thing from happening to your horse.
Starting with my own horse, Howie: I keep him, along with three small ponies on a pretty bald grass track. I move the fence to give them a tiny patch of long stemmy grass early in the morning, and its gone in around 10 minutes. A few days ago his crest hardened and his pulses were strong. I should have stopped moving the fence as soon as that happened. But I, in all my wisdom, thinking my laminitis prone minis are doing well, and my Howie-highland has never had laminitis, didn’t read the signs. He’s come in really sore tonight and his pulses are through the roof.
This morning I went out to a cob who has no signs of laminitis but has gained weight. Two other horses on the same yard currently have active laminitis, so the owner of the cob is bringing him in during the day with soaked hay to reduce grazing and see if we can get a little weight off him. Really wise decision 💪🏼
This afternoon I went out to a 4yr old arabian mare who came in a little footy on weds night, and was kept in until thursday night. Evening turnout thursday, and significantly more sore by morning. She’s not overweight, not metabolic, and not on lush grazing.
Yesterday I saw a little miniature horse for the first time, whose owner was not aware that he was high risk for laminitis, and turned him out on ex dairy grazing with her elderly horse. Soaked hay, boots with pads and medication from the vet has helped, but his future is touch and go.
Thursday was my day off, but I went out to a thoroughbred who had loose stools and was rocked back on his heels. He had just been turned out on the summer grazing which looks like standing hay, but is also full of clover.
Wednesday the only laminitis I saw was in a mare recovering from autumn ppid related laminitis. But you get the picture I hope. It is everywhere in all types of horses.
I have spent much of this week slotting sudden onset laminitics in, mostly wb, tb and arab types - so this year it seems, many cases are horses you might never expect to see with laminitis. The truth is, thoroughbreds and finer breeds seem just as vulnerable. The following list is not exhaustive, but these are a few things you might want to consider, as a preventative:
*monitor pulses and if they become strong, or stronger than normal, get the horse off the grass
*monitor weight, and restrict/cut out grazing if your horse is overweight, has fat pads or a cresty neck
*pay attention to how comfortable your horse is. Is he suddenly a bit pottery when turning a circle? Footy on surfaces he’d normally happily stride out on? Banging his heels down when walking? Short in trot? More sensitive to stones/grit?
*consider soaking hay. 30-45 minutes will reduce the potassium by half, and will also reduce sugar/starch.
*supplement your horse with magnesium and salt.
*Consider strip grazing, a grazing muzzle, or night time only turnout (grass stores energy through the day, being at its highest levels in the early evening. This energy is converted into new growth overnight, so the safest time to turnout is early morning hours).
*Use the laminitis risk app or the grasscheckgb website to help avoid periods where risk is elevated.
*consider setting up a temporary track
*find out what kind of grass species are in your field and your forage (rye and/or clover are higher risk than meadow grass species).
*Remind yourself every day that prevention is better than cure, and be as prepared as you can be. Know the signs, check for them daily and act when you see them.
*Do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it
