Gout in Horses

Gout is a condition which causes swelling of the joints. The specific cause of gout in humans and horses is very different, but the resulting symptoms and treatment are the same.

  1. Identification

    • The condition in horses, sometimes referred to as equine gout, is laminitis, also known as founder. This condition causes edema in the laminae, or soft tissue of the hoof.

    Cause

    • When the hoof is damaged it can, over time, result in a decreased blood flow to the hoof's live tissue. The condition, if not corrected, may cause the coffin bone to detach from the hoof wall.

    Predisposing Factors

    • The most common factor which leads a horse to founder is an improper diet. Horses that are over-grained or who eat too much clover are especially prone. Also, horses that favor one foot, or who have intestinal diseases, are more likely to develop a case of equine gout.

    Treatment

    • Human gout medications have proved effective in treating laminitis in horses, specifically treatments that contain a mixture of allopurinol, hydrocortisone, powdered opium, and prednisolone or prednisone. Having a horse shod to correct rotation and limit further damage to the P-3 is also essential.