Equine Health & Performance

Equine Laminitis and Founder

The Science Daily, Sept. 27, 2012- “Laminitis is a painful and debilitating disease……..In 75% of cases the inflammation becomes chronic ‘founder’, leaving the horse permanently lame.”

Coffin bone protruding through
the horse's hoof.
Photo Credit: Natural Horse World

There are many causes for laminitis.  Although the exact root cause is unknown there are multiple factors that contribute to this debilitating disease, overfeeding being the most common.   Possible precursor diseases and symptoms can be colic and diarrhea.   Laminitis is more commonly developed in horses with insulin resistance and obesity.  This is something we can get excited about!  We've recently received new revealing studies showing that the omega 7 in sea buckthorn can play a major role in assisting with improved insulin resistance.  Sea buckthorn is also one of the best whole food supplements for weight management in both horses and humans.

Acute laminitis can be treated if caught in the early stages and at the first sign of lameness.  Laminitis causes inflammation of the laminae of the hoof and if left untreated the inflammation will continue to deteriorate the laminae, becoming severe enough to cause the coffin bone to rotate within the hoof.   Once the coffin bone rotates the acute laminitis now becomes chronic laminitis.  The horse has foundered and the coffin bone is no longer attached to the hoof capsule, eventually puncturing the sole.

Be sure to keep a tab on these common laminitis culprits:

• Grazing on large amounts fresh, lush grass and over feeding
• Constant riding on hard terrains such as paved road
• Overworking: fatigue, dehydration, exhaustion
• Incidents of severe colic
• The use of black walnuts. These are toxic to horses
• Stress from traveling & competition

The health of your horse is determined solely by your care, treatment, and knowledge.  Inch by inch, one step at a time, you can have your equine in a state of health and vigorous vitality you weren't sure could even be achieved.  Follow our blog and let’s get started!