Laminitis and Founder – No Equine is safe!

by Carola Adolf, NEP/fSHP August 2010

It is quite concerning that progressively more ponies and horses are affected by this condition every year, despite increasing awareness amongst horse owners and more and better research.

What are we missing?

Without getting lost too much in the science and “trade lingo”, we need to find a way to summarize, understand and get better in preventing- and more successful in treating laminitis and founder!

Owners and professionals need to work together, where owners must start to take responsibility more and professionals must educate more.

It is often too late for a swift recovery without permanent and lifelong consequences once the professionals have to get involved! Prevention is paramount for a lifetime of soundness.

There can be a number of “metabolic trigger events” that can affect any equine breed to become vulnerable and succumb to this debilitating disease.

Generally there are two major reasons: One of these or both in combination are ALWAYS present when laminitis occurs :

1)A compromised/stressed metabolic system

2)Compromised hoof physiology and biomechanics

Is Laminitis (the inflammation of the sensitive laminae, which is the living metabolic tissue inside the hoofcapsule) and Founder (the breakdown of the suspension matrix with consequent displacement of the pedal bone) a modern day epidemic?

As spring is approaching, we will just concentrate here on what is commonly known as “GRASS FOUNDER” and how you can recognize if your horse or pony (or donkey) is at risk:

• Is your equine in excellent condition right now (mid/end winter), perhaps even a little on the heavy side?

• Do you pride yourself to provide the best feed, stabling, good or improved pasture and rugging all year around  

• Have reduced exercise activity over winter

• Is your equine approaching maturity (not growing any more)

• Has your equine ever suffered from laminitis before

• CONT NEXT PAGE