Laminitis In Horses: What You Need To Know

Every day veterinarians see multiple cases of laminitis, which is a painful disease affecting a horse’s feet. Many of these cases are preventable; one of the most common causes of laminitis is overfeeding, which is a factor easily within our control at most times.

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What is Laminitis?

Laminitis stems from the disruption of blood flow to a horse’s laminae; these structures secure the foot’s coffin bone to the hoof wall. Inflammation weakens the laminae, interferes with the bond of the bone and wall, and in severe cases, can cause the two to separate.

Laminitis can affect all feet or just one but is most commonly seen in the front feet. “Laminitis” and “founder” often get used interchangeably, but the latter typically refers to a chronic condition. Laminitis more commonly gets used to describe the symptoms of the initial onset, including pain and inflammation.

What Causes Laminitis in Horses?

The exact mechanisms that can cause a horse’s feet to get damaged aren’t completely clear, but there are certain events that can produce laminitis. The causes can vary but typically include:

Diet changes or digestive upsets from excess grain
Toxins released into the horse’s system
Severe colic
Concussion to their feet also called “road founder”
Sudden access to lush forage before their system can adapt, also called “grass founder”
Multiple primary foot diseases
High doses or prolonged use of corticosteroids
An illness or a high fever that results in a metabolic disturbance
A retained placenta after foaling
An altered gait that causes the horse to bear more weight on a specific leg
Bedding containing black walnut shavings

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Risk Factors for Laminitis

Factors that can increase a horse’s risk of laminitis or increase the condition’s severity include:

Heavy breeds like draft horses
A carbohydrate-rich diet
Grain binges, like when a horse gains unrestricted access to its feed room
Senior horses with Cushing’s disease
Overweight horses
Miniature horses, ponies, Morgans, and donkeys
Horses who previously had an episode of laminitis

Signs of Acute Laminitis in Horses

Lameness that shifts while standing or lameness when the horse turns in circles
An increased pulse in the feet
Pain in the toes when you apply pressure
A “sawhorse stance” where the horse stretches out its front feet to alleviate pressure with their hind feet supporting the weight
Feet that feel hot
A hesitant or reluctant gait

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Signs of Chronic Laminitis in Horses

Rings in the hoof wall that get wider from toe to heel
Wide white lines called “seedy toe” that have abscesses or seromas
An extra-thick or “cresty” neck
Bruised soles, called “stone bruises”
Flat feet or dropped soles
Dished hooves resulting from uneven hoof growth

Laminitis Treatments

Laminitis often occurs due to a general or systemic issue elsewhere in a horse’s body; diagnosing and treating this primary cause is typically the first step to treat laminitis. Other treatment options include:

Dietary restrictions like limiting grain-based feeds and pasture
Administering fluids to a dehydrated or ill horse
Stabling the horse on sand or shavings that are soft and encouraging them to reduce pressure by laying down
A vet may recommend corrective trimming, therapeutic pads, or frog supports
Purging the horse’s digestive tract with mineral oils, especially is it has overeaten
Using medications, like:
- Antibiotics to fight infection
- Vasodilators and anticoagulants to improve blood flow
- Anti-endotoxins to reduce the toxicity of bacteria
Draining any abscesses that developed
Vets may advise you about other therapies that can help a predisposed horse to help prevent the onset of laminitis

Preventative Measures for Laminitis

Feed your horse a nutritionally balanced diet that’s appropriate for its breed, activity level, and age
Restrict their access to lush pasture, particularly in the springtime
Use a reputable farrier to give your horse regular hoof care
Notify your vet right away if you suspect a mare has retained placenta

The Long-Term Outlook of Laminitis

Some horses with laminitis lead a long, healthy life after making an uneventful recovery, but others can suffer from severe and irreparable damage. Your equine practitioner can give you more information about the horse’s condition with radiographs, develop a treatment plan, and measure its response to the treatments.

Radiographs show how much coffin bone rotation has occurred and if there is any gas accumulation or abscesses that will affect the horse’s therapy. Your practitioner can help you make a decision that is in the best interest of your horse and assist with therapeutic shoeing.

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Managing Laminitis

Once a horse gets laminitis once, it is likely to recur. Because of bone rotation, many cases become chronic and will not regain their original laminae strength. Laminitis can also disrupt the blood flow to their feet and cause metabolic changes. Managing laminitis in horses includes:

Modified diets that provide adequate nutrition based on digestible fiber, oil, and high-quality forage. You should avoid feeding your horse excess carbohydrates like grain
A health-maintenance schedule that includes vaccinations and parasite control to help reduce their susceptibility to disease or illness
Reduce pasture intake when it suddenly greens up, and avoid grazing lush pastures between the late morning and late afternoon when the plant sugars are highest
Routine hoof care like regular trimming and possibly therapeutic shoeing
Hoof health nutritional supplements, like biotin

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Dealing with laminitis in the best way means taking preventative measures by preventing the causes that you can control, like your horse’s diet. Here’s a quick summary of our tips to keep your horse healthy and at less risk for the disease:

Remember that an ill, overweight, or stressed hose is at higher risk for laminitis
Store all of your grain out of the horse’s reach
Introduce them to lush pasture gradually
Provide quality, routine hoof and health care
Your equine practitioner can help you formulate an appropriate diet plan
If you suspect laminitis, treat it like a medical emergency and immediately notify your vet

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Resources on laminitis in horses:

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