5 Tips to Prevent Laminitis in Your Horse or Pony

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

Helping the horse or pony suffering from laminitis or founder

Laminitis, or founder, is a disease of the digital laminae of the hoof. It is a serious condition that can affect any horse or pony and is one of the most common causes of lameness. Traditionally it is associated with overweight ponies but increasingly horses are affected too. All horse owners and carers need to be vigilant for the symptoms of this disease as early intervention is essential.

Mild cases that are identified and treated quickly can be controlled with careful management together with the correct doses of prescription medicines such as 'bute' and ACP. More acute cases can result in rotation of the pedal bone which, in extreme circumstances, can lead to the pedal bone protruding through the sole of the foot. Clearly, it is not a disease to be taken lightly. Even a mild case causes the horse or pony to experience excrutiating pain. The hoof is a fairly solid entity and if you can imagine inflammation and swelling inside an inelastic structure then perhaps you can appreciate the severity of the pain. Prevention is certainly better than the cure.

There are several causes of laminitis: carbohydrate overload, nitrogen compound overload, colic, frosty grass, lush pasture, untreated infection (such as a retained placenta), insulin resistance, concussion, poor circulation, Cushing's Disease.

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!

If you suspect that your horse may be prone to laminitis then a herbal supplement should be added to the feed. NAF 5 Star Laminaze is a good product. Currently this is on special offer at Countrywide Farmers.

For a comprehensive guide to laminitis I recommend this e-book: Laminitis and Founder Exposed by Zoe Dunn.

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.