What Is Laminitis?

The area between the hoof and the pedal bone inside of the hoof is called the laminae. It's made up of hoof-like insensitive material and a very sensitive membrane-like material. Laminitis (also known as founder) is a potentially lethal inflammation of the laminae, and is very painful. Laminitis killed the American Triple Crown champion Secretariat.

  1. Causes

    • According to The Complete Equine Veterinary Manual, laminitis is caused by injury to the hoof, over-eating or a complication from another infection such as septicaemia (see Resources).

    Risk Factors

    • Overweight horses are most at risk of getting laminitis. Broodmares who do not push out all of the placenta are also at risk. Overweight ponies eating fresh spring pasture can gorge themselves and get laminitis.

    Early Symptoms

    • The earliest symptoms of laminitis are heat in the leg, high pulse rate and the horse standing in a very peculiar position in order to take the weight off of the bad hoof. A vet needs to be called immediately.

    Complications

    • Laminitis cuts off the blood supply to the hoof. The hoof tissue then dies and the hoof falls off. If laminitis spreads to more than one hoof, the horse would have to be put down because he cannot stand.

    Treatment

    • Treatment is a combination of pain medications, liquid paraffin to help remove any toxic food in the gut, a sling to help the horse stand and corrective shoeing. Severe cases need surgery.