Spring time in the fields

Laminitis is on the increase again!

Now that Spring is hopefully on its way, laminitis will be on the increase again.  It is clearly too large a topic to cover in one newsletter but here we will aim to cover some important points.

As we all know small fat ponies with a cresty neck are classically the worst effected. However, large horses can also succumb.

Causes of laminitis

Predisposing factors include obesity and excess carbohydrate intake (most commonly associated with grass). There are certain sugars called Non-fermentable carbohydrates which are not well absorbed in the horse’s gut.  This leads to increased numbers of certain bacteria and changes to the intestinal environment. It is this which is thought to allow substances affecting the laminae to enter the blood stream.  (There still several theories about the exact mechanism causing the changes in the laminae).

Other predisposing factors include cushings disease, systemic infections with circulating toxins (an example of this occurs after foaling when membranes are retained) excessive long term weight bearing on a single limb, and not forgetting, equine metabolic syndrome.

Classic laminitis symptoms are:

  • Lameness/pain (appears ‘footy’)
  • Rocking back onto heels to remove weight from toe
  • Bounding digital pulses
  • Heat in hooves
    Remember, if laminitis is very severe and involves hind hooves as well, the horse or pony may even refuse to stand.  In some cases this can be confused with colic.
     

This picture shows where to find the digital pulse on your horse.

 

What to Do

In severe cases where the animal is in a lot of pain a vet should be called straight away to access the situation. The horse or pony will require the application of supports to the affected hooves.  In a flair-up of the condition in a chronic laminitis sufferer veterinary attention/advice can also be sought. The horse/pony should be removed from the likely cause e.g. pasture. They should be put onto a deep bed to provide support and painkillers given.
In cases of laminitis which do not improve over the next day or two may require x-rays to assess the position of the pedal bone.  When the acute stage has passed and the horse/pony is comfortable, appropriate shoeing will need to be discussed with the vet and your farrier.

Prevention is the best policy

Avoiding a laminitis episode in the ‘at risk’ horses and ponies and a flare up in those already suffering with chronic laminitis is vital. An awareness of the predisposing factors mentioned above is key to this. Dietary management is probably the most important. Reducing the intake of the sugars implicated in laminitis means limiting access to certain foods.

These are:

  • Grass during periods of growth and when sugars are stored
  • Grains
  • Cereals
  • Apples and carrots
  • Manufactured treats – Definitely no polos!

The vast majority of the diet should be forage. Soaking hay for at least half an hour will reduce the sugar level significantly. Steaming is also effective. Haylage contains less of the sugar but is highly palatable, meaning intake could be excessive if not restricted.
Hard feed should really be avoided, especially if there is a weight issue. If required there are several manufactured feeds available for laminitis prone horses and ponies which provide essential minerals and vitamins. As mentioned treats should be avoided, a carrot to a horse is equivalent to us eating a mars bar!  Grazing can be a tricky subject but with knowledge of the most risky times to turnout it is possible to manage susceptible animals.

Times to be vigilant

  • During spring, summer and autumn, the bright weather means there is potential for a lot of sugar production.
  • Times of the highest light intensity (noon to late afternoon).
  • When frost is present on the pasture. Wait till this has dispersed

Recommendations

  • Limit grazing during the above times. If possible turn out at night time.
  • Avoid turn out directly after a frost or cold snap. Especially when the weather has been bright. This is because the sudden cold forces the plant to store the sugar it has produced instead of using it for growth.
  • Regularly ‘top’ the pasture to encourage sugars to be used for growth meaning less storage takes place.
  • Rotate the pasture with other species to maintain the pasture at the optimum height.
  • Grazing muzzles are very helpful in managing the chronic laminitic (make sure the horse/pony is drinking with it on).

Please don’t hesitate to contact the practice if you have any questions about this topic.

 

 


equine vets