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LAMINITIS MANAGEMENT & PREVENTION
At the start of treatment for laminitis horses
are better stabled on a deep clean bed (shavings may be best
which gives support and comfort. As you see improvement the horse
can be let out onto an even concrete yard or small starvation paddock
with no grass. Do not feed any concentrates or allow grazing
and just feed hay or other pure roughage material. The horse should
not be overstarved and supplements in the feed will help proper recovery
of the foot and rest of the body. Simple hoof growth formulae may
be useful, MSM and minerals and vitamins as well as Laminitis Prone
Supplement. Immune support may also help with healing of the damaged
tissues within the foot.
Walking too early on may make laminitis worse.
Forcing exercise may encourage separation of the sensitive laminae
but when things are more stable walking on soft ground may encourage
circulation.
Hoof Care:
Feet care is very important in confirmed cases
of laminitis. Quick removal of the shoes may further traumatise the
feet and if the sole has already dropped then shoes will make the
feet more comfortable by raising the sole off the ground. Frog support
is often important in laminitis cases and temporary padding placed
over the frog may provide useful support until Xrays can be done or
the farrier used.
Once the laminitis has settled down corrective
shoeing aims to restore the natural shape and conformation of the
foot. Vet and farrier should work together and trimming is carried
out once a month. Using Xrays as a guide farriers will aim to shorten
long toes, rasp back the front hoof wall to make it parallel with
the pedal bone, remove excessive heel length and corrective shoes
fitted as required. In special cases heart bar shoes provide support
to the pedal bone through the frog. Glue on shoes or plastic strap
on shoes may help to eliminate trauma.
Prevention:
1. Diet: Restrict intake of food that
may be causing the problem e.g. grass. This is particularly important
for fat ponies which have more pressure on the feet and in all horses
prone to the problem. Diet should also contain supplements and
nutrients that are known to help limit laminitis damage and
improve digestion of food thus helping prevent the problem. Most
ponies are safe if they are only allowed to graze for an hour in the
morning or an hour in the evening.
2. Make use of starvation paddocks
to restrict intake of grass and think about using muzzles to prevent
ponies and horses that are prone to laminitis eating too much.
3. Avoid using your horse on the road
and on hard surfaces as this traumatises the feet and may cause laminitis
to come back.
4.  Make
sure that medical conditions such as colic and infections are treated
quickly (click 'flash' to go to Horse
Colic page ) as these can
result in release of toxins which can bring on laminitis.
5. Ensure that rich food is locked away
safely.
SUPPLEMENTS
There are many supplements on the market designed
specifically to help horses and ponies suffering from laminitis. Generally
it is easy to see which these products are as they use 'lam' in their
names to indicate their connection to the problem. Most of these
formulae are designed to provide anti-oxidants and other neutraceuticals
which help soothe the damage that may be done to the laminae in the
hoof.
A liver tonic is sometimes used with supplements
to help the immune system and help improves levels
of comfort of damaged feet. A liver tonic also helps with horses
that have been taking Bute for long periods.
MSM the sulphur supplement
can also help with damaged tissues in the feet. Biotin products can
help and supplements to make up for mineral levels during starvation
feeding can also be beneficial.
Stephen Ashdown's
Free Vet Advice Helpline: 01243 773363
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