What Is Laminitis In Ponies

Most horses and ponies can recover from laminitis but the extent of their recovery depends on many factors including how severe the problem was when it was first spotted and how soon treatment commences.

What is laminitis in ponies.

Laminitis is an extremely painful condition affecting 1 in 10 horses ponies every year 1 and can cause permanent damage to the hooves. The very mildest sub clinical nutritionally triggered cases can often be nipped in the bud by changes in management notably feeding. Lameness develops rapidly and animals shift their weight from one foot to another. Laminitis is a crippling condition which can be fatal in severe cases.

Horse owners should not be tempted to stand horses or ponies suffering from laminitis in a stream or to cold hose their hooves. Once a horse has had an episode of laminitis they are particularly susceptible to future episodes. Although laminitis occurs in the feet the underlying cause is often a disturbance elsewhere in the horse s body. The stance of the horse with acute laminitis is quite typical.

Laminitis the separation or failure of laminae which connect the hoof wall to the coffin bone within can cause permanent structural changes in a horse s foot leading to repeated bouts of. Laminitis can be managed but not cured which is why prevention is so important. It can often cause lameness in two or all four feet at one time but it is preventable. Laminitis is a disease that causes lameness in horses.

Equine laminitis is the acute form that should be treated as an emergency requiring immediate attention. The causes vary and may include the following. Laminitis commonly known as founder is a painful disease that causes severe lameness in horses. One of the more common causes current theory states citation needed that if a horse is given grain in excess or eats grass under stress and has accumulated excess nonstructural carbohydrates sugars starch or fructan it may be unable.

Laminitis has multiple causes some of which commonly occur together. These causes can be grouped into broad categories. It was once associated primarily with overweight ponies but it can affect any age or size of horse. Digestive upsets due to grain overload such as excess grain fruit or snacks or abrupt changes in diet.

Although the front feet are most commonly affected all four feet may be involved.