20/09/2024
Some good info, it is currently laminitis red zone season.
If your horse is showing any signs that *could* be laminitis, it is safest to treat it as laminitis. There are other things that could cause these symptoms, but catching laminitis as fast as possible can make a big difference, and it won’t hurt even if it turns out to be something else.
⚠️ Warning signs:
- Not as forward as usual
- Stiffness turning
- Footsore after a trim when the usually wouldn’t be
- Sensitivity over surfaces that isn’t normal for them
- Grumpiness and reluctance
- Redness in the whiteline
- Pinkness growing in in the hoof wall (visible in white feet)
- Sudden foot soreness in both fronts/all feet
- A bounding digital pulse
- Heat in the hooves
Depending on severity, remove completely from grass and soak hay, or for minor cases reduce grass and increase hay. Talk to your hoof care provider and vet for advice.
ANY horse can have laminitic inflammation, young or old, fat or thin, big or small and any breed.
Severely washed out soles, or abscesses in both fronts (yep, it can happen!) can also cause some of these symptoms, but it is always safest to treat as laminitis until proven otherwise.
