Foundering In Horses Is Not The Same As Laminitis In Horses

Many horse owners believe that laminitis and founder in horses are the same thing. This is a misnomer and can be confusing to the horse owner who is used to these terms being used interchangeably. Founder is a direct result of a horse having laminitis. A horse cannot get founder without having laminitis. Laminitis is its own disease and does not have to lead to founder if caught early and treated. Basically founder is a secondary disease brought on by laminitis, the primary disease.

If you understand exactly what the ailments are, you will be able to understand how they are different.

Laminitis

Laminitis is the inflammation of the laminae tissue in the foot. The laminae tissue connects the foot of the horse to the hoof. When it becomes inflamed, the capillaries get squeezed and no blood flow can make it to the tissue. This causes that tissue to die. If the laminitis is caught early enough it does not progress to become founder. This is crucial. Laminitis can be difficult to deal with, but it can also be reversed or cured if the horse owner is vigilant and pays attention to the early warning signs (see laminitis symptoms link below). The laminitis cure can be a slow road, but can be done and is worth it to save the life and productivity of their horse.

Founder

Founder is when the coffin bone is no longer supported in the foot by the laminae tissue. This causes it to rotate and possibly drop, depending on the severity and how long the horse has gone without treatment. When the coffin bone drops, it can actually drop right through the sole of the hoof. It is a debilitating disease of which there is no cure. At best your horse can be pasture sound but never ridden or worked again. If it has been allowed to progress to an advanced founder the most humane thing to do is to put the horse down. It is crippling in its pain.

I think it is important to know the difference between laminitis and founder. When speaking to your vet or farrier they will know the difference, so you should as well. If you use the words interchangeably, the vet or farrier will have to keep reminding himself, for example, that your horse does not have founder but has laminitis. Knowing the difference will make it easier to convey messages to your vet and farrier and to carry on a conversation about the best way to deal with your horse.

If you would like to learn more about laminitis symptoms, laminitis treatment, laminitis cure and foundering in horses, please visit Laminitis Cure It is a good resource with a lot of information. I know that it helped me tremendously when I had to deal with this terrible ailment.