Guidelines On How To Avoid Laminitis In Spring
A notorious time for ponies and horses to get laminitis or founder is spring
. The quick growth of grass in spring and increased levels of sugars in grass means that horses are at risk of developing the very dangerous condition called laminitis or founder.Laminitis is simply inflammation of the laminae that hold the pedal or coffin bone to the hoof wall. The pedal bone is the lowest bone in the leg of a horse and sits inside the hoof.
Inflammation of the sensitive laminae causes the deep digital flexor tendon to pull on the back of the pedal bone and pull it away from the hoof wall. This pulling results in rotation of the pedal bone. This could be very painful and can even result in the pedal bone falling through the bottom of the foot, which typically results in the horse having to be euthanized.
Thus, how does a flush of spring grass result in laminitis? The increase of the sugar content within the feed causes an proliferation of a particular bacteria within the horse's hindgut. As these bacteria inevitably die they emit a toxin called an endotoxin which is absorbed into the blood stream. These toxins reach the blood vessels in the foot and cause a reduction in the blood flow to the laminae in the foot causing the laminae to release the grip on the pedal bone.
Prevention is much better than cure, as far as laminitis is concerned. So, how can laminitis be prevented? This is a multiple stage process, and some horses and ponies will require more of these steps than others.
Firstly, take the horse away from the high risk pasture. Put the horse in a poor quality paddock or lock it up off the problem pasture.
Secondly, soak hay to decrease the sugar content. Soaking hay in luke-warm water for 1 hour will reduce sugars by almost thirty percent.
Thirdly, feed additives can be very helpful. Foundergard is a horse feed supplement which has an anti-bacterial effect and stops the proliferation of the bacteria that release the toxin that results in laminitis. Foundergard is indicated in horses and ponies that have a history of laminitis.
Another feed additive is Kohnkes Own, Trim. Kohnke's OwnTrim is a horse feed supplement that alters sugar metabolism and is particularly helpful for those cresty, overweight ponies. Both Trim and Foundergard could be combined to help improve protection.
If your horse or pony is having difficulty walking or standing with its hind legs beneath it more than normal, then your horse might be struggling with laminitis. If you suspect this contact your vet immediately, it could be a matter of life or death! There are many other things your veterinary doctor could do to treat laminitis.
This article is designed as a guide only and doesnt go into the comprehensive management of laminitis. I suggest seeking professional help for the management of laminitis is good.
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