Guidelines On How To Avoid Laminitis In Spring
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Spring is a notorious time for horses and ponies to get laminitis or founder. The quick growth of grass in spring and higher levels of sugars in grass means that horses are at risk of developing the extremely dangerous condition known as laminitis or founder.nnLaminitis is simply inflammation of the laminae that hold the pedal or coffin bone to the hoof wall. The pedal bone is the lowest bone in the horse's leg and sits within the hoof.nnSwelling of the sensitive laminae results in the deep digital flexor tendon to pull on the back of the pedal bone and pull it away from the hoof wall. This pulling causes "rotation" of the pedal bone. This could be very painful and could even result in the pedal bone falling through the underside of the foot, that typically results in the horse having to be euthanized.nnSo, why does a flush of spring grass result in laminitis? The increase of the sugar content within the feed results in an proliferation of a particular bacteria in the horse's hindgut. Since these bacteria inevitably die they release a toxin called an endotoxin that is absorbed into the blood stream. These toxins reach the blood vessels in the foot and cause a reduction in the flow of blood to the laminae in the foot causing the laminae to release the grip on the pedal bone.nnPrevention is much better than cure, as far as laminitis is concerned. So, how to prevent laminitis? This is a multiple stage process, and a few horses and ponies will require more of these steps than others.nnFirst, remove the horse from the high risk pasture. Keep the horse in a poor quality paddock or lock it up off the problem pasture.nnSecondly, soak hay to reduce the sugar content. Soaking hay in luke-warm water for an hour will reduce sugars by about 30%.nnThirdly, feed additives could be very helpful. Foundergard is a horse feed supplement that has an anti-bacterial impact and stops the proliferation of the bacteria that release the toxin that results in laminitis. Foundergard is indicated in horses and ponies that have a history of laminitis.nnAnother feed additive is Kohnke's Own, Trim. Kohnke's OwnTrim is a horse feed supplement that changes sugar metabolism and is particularly helpful for those cresty, overweight ponies. Both Trim and Foundergard can be combined to assist improve protection.nnIf your horse or pony is having difficulty walking or standing with its hind legs underneath it more than normal, then your horse may be suffering from laminitis. If you suspect this contact your veterinary doctor immediately, it could be a matter of life or death! There are several other things your vet could do to treat laminitis.nnThis article is intended to be only a guide and doesn't go into the in depth management of laminitis. I recommend seeking professional assistance in the management of laminitis is good.
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