Looking at Laminitis with The Saddlery Shop

The word laminitis often strikes fear into the heart of any horse owner as the all too common condition can lead to debilitating welfare problems and acute lameness in many horses and ponies. Frustratingly there is still much about the condition which is not fully understood but there are measures which can be put in place to help avoid and manage equine laminitis. What is Laminitis? The term Laminitis, describes the process of the laminae tissues becoming inflamed. This causes pain and lameness, can lead to tears of the internal bond between the dermal and epidermal laminae. In severe cases this tearing can be so acute that it can lead to the rotation or drop of the pedal bone. One of the factors we do know in relative certainty is that laminitis can result from improper nutrition, namely overfeeding. Many leading experts recommend that in order to try and prevent the condition the amount of sugars in the diet should be reduced such as reducing the level of concentrate feed provided, soaking hay offered and limiting turnout on rich pasture. Utilising correct body condition scoring can also help horse owners determine our horse’s weight, and whether they food consumption is correct for their type and their workload. Remember the problems general arise when the ingestion of pasture and feed is combined with a lack of exercise. This is simply because our equines do not burn off and use the sugary starches provided in their diet and it is a well documented link that increased risk of metabolic problems caused by obesity, can also lead to laminitis. Three Top Tips from The Saddlery Shop for Avoiding or Managing Laminitis 1.) Restrict your horse’s grain quantities and seek out a high fibre, low sugar, low starch alternative such as a forage rich hay. Always feed your horse in relation to their workload- remember they only need calories they are going to use! 2.) Limit your horse’s pasture time or if he is happier in the field restrict the area they have access to with temporary fencing or a grazing muzzle. 3.) Choose wisely about when you turn your horse out to graze. Studies have found that the risk of laminitis can be increased when horses are turned out on pasture which has been exposed to cold nights and sunny weather, especially if there has been a frost!