Managing Laminitis Ponies

Managing a horse with laminitis on grass pastures.

Managing laminitis ponies.

Recognized for centuries laminitis is an all to frequent and sometimes devastating condition affecting the connections between the horse s hoof wall and the vital structures inside the hoof. Foundering is an extremely painful condition and should never be taken lightly. Managing a horse with laminitis on grass pastures. This can all occur before any symptoms are apparent and once the process has started it is extremely difficult to stop.

Laminitis is a complex cascade of events that causes the soft tissues laminae within the hoof to swell weaken and die. No horse owner wants to arrive at the barn to find their horse in the classic rocked back laminitic horse stance and unable to move. Is there a cure for laminitis in horses. This research continues to explain why certain horses and ponies do not respond to correct dietary management alone and also tells us more about how we should manage susceptible horses and ponies.

Although diagnosis usually isn t difficult laminitis remains a frustrating condition to treat. Horses prone to laminitis need help when grazing on grass pastures in the spring time and early summer when grasses grow quickly and lush. What works for one horse may not work for another and in many cases only time will tell whether a treatment is effective. 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.

Save for later print. Laminitis is quite unlike any other equine disease. Consider that a common cause of laminitis is overfeeding a management factor that is normally within our control. Also feed your horse beet pulp so it s getting enough fiber which helps prevent laminitis flare ups.

When a horse develops equine metabolic syndrome it is similar to type 2. A horse with acute laminitis is generally exceedingly painful. When your horse progresses from painful laminitis to disabling founder as many do you ll naturally want to educate yourself on the various treatment techniques and management strategies available. If your horse has foundered first call a vet immediately for pain relief and then read here for managing the foundered horse.

However for the horse with endocrine related laminitis diet becomes an important part of managing the disease.