What Is Laminitis In Horses

Laminitis is a crippling condition which can be fatal in severe cases.

What is laminitis in horses.

Diseases with inflammation hormonal diseases and mechanical overload are just some of the causes of laminitis. It was once associated primarily with overweight ponies but it can affect any age or size of horse. Laminitis results from the disruption constant intermittent or short term of blood flow to the sensitive and insensitive laminae. Laminitis is a disease that causes lameness in horses.

By learning more about laminitis and its causes signs and treatments you may be able to minimize the risks of laminitis in your horse or control the long term damage if it does occur. Obesity is a risk factor for laminitis because internal fat particularly in the abdominal region omental fat is hormonally active excreting hormone releasing factors hormones e g. Obese horses also put more load on their feet. Once a horse has had an episode of laminitis they are particularly susceptible to future episodes.

Laminitis can be managed but not cured which is why prevention is so important. Understand what laminitis is. Laminitis is a painful and potentially crippling disease that can be fatal to horses. It can often cause lameness in two or all four feet at one time but it is preventable.