Laminitis - What can you do?

Laminitis is a serious and painful condition whereby the sensitive laminae, which attach the pedal bone inside the hoof to the hoof wall, become inflamed. The inflammation can lead to tearing inside the hoof and lead to rotation of the pedal bone and possibly even protrude through the sole of the foot. This rotation is known as Founder.

What causes Laminitis?

The most common (though not the only) cause is early spring & autumn grasses which are lush and contain high amounts of sugar. Rich hay can also cause laminitis.

Early symptoms may include reluctance to move, shifting of weight from foot to foot, looking dull eyed and off colour. As inflammation increases, pony may take the founder stance (rocked back on the hindquarters to take pressure off the toes), walk with great difficulty, lie down a lot more than usual. Sometimes not interested in eating (pain response).

Most common in ponies, though horses and donkeys can also be affected, particularly if they are good do-ers. Usually seen in the front feet, though back feet can be involved too.

First Aid for laminitis

The first step is to remove your pony from its pasture. Confine your pony to sand if possible.

Consult with vet and hoof care provider.

To help ease the discomfort and inflammation, cold water can be used. If you horse is willing, stand in buckets of cold water.

Applying a poultice such as 'tuff rock' can also ease discomfort and I have had good results with tuff rock as a cooling aid on my own pony.

Gentle hand walking on a firm surface, if animal is willing, may be helpful after trimming. 10 – 15 mins twice daily.

Feed pasture hay, supplement with limited Lucerne hay (especially if pony reluctant to eat). Soaking hay for an hour in lukewarm water, then draining, is advisable (removes excess sugars) during acute phase.

When my little shetland came down with laminitis in the early spring, I was advised various types of feed. However, I chose to try Perry's Laminitis Mix and after just one week I saw a huge difference. I had her feet trimmed by a barefoot farrier twice over the course of a month and with the Perry's laminitis feed mix and the addition of MSM and Founder Guard she got through it. I took her off the pasture and confined her to a sand yard and after a few weeks and the change in feed I was able to put her back out onto pasture by late December.

Prevention is better than cure!

Regular trimming is necessary; avoid long toes and high heels.

Restrict grazing on lush green grass, particularly in early Spring and early Autumn.

If you cannot remove pony from the pasture, try a muzzle to limit the amount of green grass he can eat.

Keep pony exercised and at optimum weight.

Add a small amount of preventative supplement such as Founder Guard on a regular basis.

Preventative products

Equishure is a ‘hind gut buffer’ which can assist the pony in metabolising sugars and maintaining

hind-gut balance. Preventative.

Founder Guard is a low grade antibiotic. Preventative.

Herbal support to assist the body in its healing process. Eg Walkenny Park ‘Founder Care’

Chia can (among other things) slow the metabolism, resulting in a more even blood sugar level. Preventative. Can also aid recovery.