Honey Hooves N' Hounds Ltd.

07/08/2026

Absolutely!

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗼𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆
𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘒𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘯, 𝘝𝘔𝘋

The suffix “-itis” means inflammation. That is not what is going on with insulin.

Johnson, et al., 2004, described changes in the laminae of horses with metabolic syndrome. They were not necessarily obviously sore but the pathology was there nonetheless. These changes consist of cellular proliferation and elongation. This is also seen with toxic and infectious/inflammatory cause of laminitis but is a late change.

At the 2017 NO Laminitis Conference, I spoke extensively on how EMS and endocrinopathic/insulin related laminitis are different. In 2018, Patterson-Kane, et al., echoed those observations in a pivotal paper entitled “Paradigm shifts in understanding equine laminitis”.

In short, endocrinopathic laminitis, such as that induced by an infusion of insulin, does not show the white blood cell infiltration or enzymatic basement membrane damage that characterize other forms of laminitis.

One thing we know is going on is insulin resistance resulting in endothelin-1 excess and vasoconstriction in the feet. (Gauff, et al., 2013) After years of research proposing then discounting the potential role of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), the latest study (Nanayakkara, et al., 2019) suggests insulin stimulating IGF-1 receptors may indeed play a role in causing the cellular elongation and proliferation.

If there is actual physical damage to the hoof, e.g., tearing of weak laminae and rotation, there will be a natural inflammatory reaction to clean up the damage but otherwise laminitis is not what is going on here, and not the initiating event, so laminopathy makes more sense.

Johnson PJ, Messer NT, Slight SH, Wiedmeyer C, Buff P, Ganjam VK. Endocrinopathic laminitis in the horse. Clinical Techniques in Equine Practice. 3(1):45-56, 2004.

Equine Cushing’s and Insulin Resistance Group Inc. NO Laminitis!
Conference Proceedings 2017 https://ecirhorse.org/proceedings-2017.php

Patterson-Kane JC Karikoski NP, McGowan CM. Paradigm shifts in understanding equine laminitis. Vet J 2018 Jan:231:33-40. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.11.011. Epub 201 Nov 22.

Gauff F, Patan-Zugaj B, Licka TF. Hyperinsulinaemia increases vascular resistance and endothelin-1 expression in the equine digit. Equine Vet J, 2013 Sep;45(5):613-8. doi: 10.1111/evj.12040. Epub 2013 Mar 12.

Nanayakkara SN, Rahnam S, Harris PA, Anderson ST, de Laat MA, Bailey S, Sillence MN. Characterization of insulin and IGF-1 receptor binding in equine liver and lamellar tissue: implications for endocrinopathic laminitis. Domest Anim Endocrinol, 2019 Jan:66:21-26. doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2018.05.008. Epub 2018 Jun 7.

𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘊𝘶𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨'𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘯 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦.𝘰𝘳𝘨/𝘩𝘰𝘸-𝘵𝘰-𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱-𝘌𝘊𝘐𝘙.𝘱𝘩𝘱

18/06/2026

⚠️ 𝗟𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗦 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧! ⚠️

We have unfortunately had multiple laminitis cases over the past couple of weeks - some mild and now doing well, but also a few severe, heartbreaking cases, with euthanasia as a consideration. Read on to find out how to assess your horse's risk, signs to watch out for and how to avoid it. Please share to aid education.

The sunny spells mixed with frequent showers, is the perfect weather for fast grass growth. Even an apparently 'bare' paddock may be providing more sugar and calorie intake than may be realised, as the short shoots are eaten as it grows.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲'𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸?

A simple blood test for insulin is very useful and gives us an idea of whether the horse is coping with the level of sugar in its current diet. 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 (>𝟮𝟬𝘂𝗜𝗨/𝗺𝗹) 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝟱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀. The best time to test would be at the peak sugar level of the day e.g. in the afternoon after at least 3 hours of grass grazing, with their usual feed given 2 hours before the sample is taken. There is no need to starve the horse prior to this test and in fact may make the results less useful (unless otherwise advised by your vet, depending on the information we are wanting to gain from the test).

This test is particularly useful for horses which have been previously diagnosed with EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome), Cushing's Syndrome, or laminitis, as well as horses which are overweight or have abnormal fat distribution or pads. However, there is value in testing any horse, as even an outwardly lean horse may have surprisingly high internal unhealthy fat levels and may not necessarily be regulating their insulin levels appropriately, and can therefore still be at risk of laminitis.

The results provide us with valuable information and allow us to advise on diet, exercise and management changes if required, as well as the use of medication in some cases.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿?

⚠ Increased heat in feet (this is not a very sensitive sign)
⚠ Increased digital pulses (ask your vet to show you how to check these)
⚠ Pottery gait/reluctance moving or turning
⚠ Forelimb lameness (usually both front feet or all 4, but can start as just one foot - we have had more cases than usual this year presenting as looking like a foot abscess to begin with)
⚠ Leaning back onto heels
⚠ Rings on hooves which are wider at the heels than at the front
⚠ Discomfort on hard ground

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀?

🔸 Good weight monitoring - use a body condition score chart and weigh tape to monitor changes in condition
🔸 Exercise - regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity, and helps avoid obesity/weight gain (horses with EMS/overweight often need 5+ days of work - walking still reduces laminitis risk, but harder work is required for weight loss)
🔸 Diet - avoid high sugar feeds (ensure

01/06/2026

ABSOLUTELY

07/03/2026

Morning yoga? This is a new version of downward dog. She calls it upside downward dog.

07/03/2026

LOVE your new hat Lady!

07/03/2026

Our Cream Brabanter rooster decided to move in with the goats. Not sure if the hens kicked him out or ….

01/03/2026

The barn is close to full

15/02/2026

These Shropshire lambs sure are hardy!! Two more ewes lambed today! 3 boys and 3 girls so far. Hope the rest hold off during the cold spell coming this week.