What Is Laminitis In Horses

Once a horse has had an episode of laminitis they are particularly susceptible to future episodes.

What is laminitis in horses.

Obesity is a risk factor for laminitis because internal fat particularly in the abdominal region omental fat is hormonally active excreting hormone releasing factors hormones e g. Laminitis can be managed but not cured which is why prevention is so important. Laminitis is a disease that affects the feet of ungulates and is found mostly in horses and cattle clinical signs include foot tenderness progressing to inability to walk increased digital pulses and increased temperature in the hooves. Understand what laminitis is.

By learning more about laminitis and its causes signs and treatments you may be able to minimize the risks of laminitis in your horse or control the long term damage if it does occur. It was once associated primarily with overweight ponies but it can affect any age or size of horse. It can often cause lameness in two or all four feet at one time but it is preventable. Obese horses also put more load on their feet.

Laminitis is a crippling condition which can be fatal in severe cases. Laminitis is a painful and potentially crippling disease that can be fatal to horses. Cortisol and inflammatory factors that can all ultimately trigger changes in the foot that lead to laminitis. Laminitis results from the disruption constant intermittent or short term of blood flow to the sensitive and insensitive laminae.