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Laminitis - What it is and How to Prevent it

29 9:03:15

Laminitis is a fat-related disease that affects the digital laminae of the hoof (foot of an ungulate). One in three horses, and over 80% of ponies, are currently believed to be in danger of laminitis ...

Laminitis is a fat-related disease that affects the digital laminae of the hoof (foot of an ungulate). One in three horses, and over 80% of ponies, are currently believed to be in danger of laminitis ?the equine equivalent of a human heart attack.

Over the past 10 years there have been huge steps forward in the study and prevention of laminitis. Researchers have found that there is more than one nutritional cause of laminitis, although the clinical signs might be similar.

Some of the biggest findings were:

  • 66% of laminitis is pasture associated.
  • Equine Metabolic Syndrome is on the increase and with it associated laminitis.
  • Laminitics have 3 times the levels of free radicals compared to non laminitis.
  • Horses and ponies with a fat score <3.7 (0-5modified score) are at greater risk of laminitis and foot related problems.
  • Ponies and horses with insulin resistance are at a higher risk of laminitis.
  • Exercise is protective against insulin resistance.

While there isn't a cure for laminitis prevention is the way forward. Watching what you feed your horse or pony might not be enough to minimise the risk of this life threatening disease; lifestyle changes are needed too.

Tips to minimise the risk of laminitis

1. Feed according to workload, a horse in light work or at maintenance doesn't need lots of calories. They will put on fat if their calorie intake exceeds their calorie use.

2. Fat score your horse fortnightly and keep him at <3.7 during spring and summer.

3. Don't forger that horses evolved to put on fat through the spring and summer but they lost if through the winter.

4. Horses that don't do much work during winter are ok to drop their fat score to 2.5. If he loses muscle he will get a "weak outline", the tip here is not to improve his outline by making him fat, wait till spring when you can ride him again and build up his outline through building muscle.

5. Try and ensure that your horse gets a minimum of 1/2hr active walking per day.

6. If he has put on fat in the summer, then make the most of the winter to lose his fat.

7. Don抰 cut back on his bulk. Horses need bulk to maintain a healthy digestive system to reduce the risk of colic; to produce saliva whilst they chew to minimise the risk of gastric ulcers; to provide occupational therapy to minimise the development of oral stereotypes.

8. Cut back his calories by soaking hay for 12hrs which reduces the sugar/calorie content.

9. Make sure that the diet is balanced in terms of vitamins, minerals and protein throughout life.

10. Monitor his grass intake. Research has shown that that some horses can eat 5% of their bodyweight as grass, gaining 21kg in a week, (4% of their bodyweight). Grass MUST NOT be considered 慺resh air?

The solution to laminitis is not simple but by combining these three factors:?reduce obesity, ensure nutrition is optimal by feeding your horses with high quality horse feeds, and increase exercise ?you can reduce the risks and occurrence of laminitis.