Laminitis is a painful and distressing disease that is usually caused by mismanagement and up to 80% of cases can be prevented. Traditionally associated with small fat ponies with insufficient exercise, it can affect any horse or pony at any time of the year. Follow these tips to minimise the risk:
1. Monitor your horse's weight. Obesity and overeating are the number one cause of laminitis as well as threatening other areas of you horse's health. Use a weigh tape once a week and keep a record. An inch on your horse's waistline is a surprisingly large weight gain! Act on the results! Restrict grazing, reduce feed, increase exercise. Your horse or pony should be on the lean side by the end of the winter. This is natural. If your horse or pony is already obese at the onset of spring, you are hugely increasing the risk of laminitis.
2. Do not work on hard surfaces for prolonged periods. Mechanical trauma can trigger laminitis in any horse. Working on hard ground is not only a risk to your horse's joints and ligaments.
3. Do not let your horse graze on frosty grass. Yes - your horse or pony will be susceptible to laminitis, even in the winter months. In frosty conditions keep them in until the frost has melted.
4. Feed a good quality supplement. If your horse or pony has already had laminitis, or is overweight, feed a good quality supplement. Laminitis is overwhelmingly a digestive disorder and supplements can help to support the disgestive system and prevent laminitis. NAF 5 Star Laminaze is on offer at the moment here: Countrywide Farmers.
5. Monitor your horse for Cushing's Disease. Horses with this hormonal disease are prone to laminitis. If you suspect your horse has Cushing's get your vet to run a blood test and start early treatment. Signs of Cushings: a long, curly coat that isn't shed in the summer, excessive thirst, excessve appetite, excessive sweating.
6. Follow the rules of good feeding. Make changes to the diet gradually - this applies to all feeds: lush grass, grain, new hay. Laminitis can not only be triggered by carbohydrate overload but also by colic.
Prompt identification and treatment is vital to the future usefulness of the horse. Once a horse has had laminitis recurrence is always more likely. Once again - prevention is better than cure!
Caring for a horse or pony suffering from laminitis can be a distressing experience. Arm yourself with knowledge and information to help you recognise the early symptoms and provide the best care possible for you equine friend. For a comprehensive guide to laminitis I recommend this e-book: Laminitis and Founder Exposed
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