Laminitis (commonly called “founder”) affects an estimated 7-14% of the world’s equine population. It’s the inflammation of the tiny, interwoven lamellae that attach a horse’s hoof to the underlying coffin bone (third phalanx, or P3) and support the horse’s entire body weight. Anything that impacts the integrity of the lamellae, such as inflammation, weakens their hold. This causes the coffin bone to displace within the hoof capsule and move toward the ground. The condition is very painful and is often life-threatening to horses.
The same disease has several different causes, which include:
Pasture-induced laminitis (sometimes referred to as founder) can be triggered when susceptible horses ingest high amounts of sugar or fructans that are naturally found in some pasture grasses.
Susceptible horses include, but are not limited
On the eve of the 141st running of the Belmont Stakes June 6, the legacy of one of the race’s most illustrious winners continues to shine throughout the equine community.
Helen “Penny” Chenery, owner of 1973 Triple Crown champion Secretaria
The end result of laminitis is often a discrepancy in hoof growth, in which the heels grow faster than the toe
Belknap remarked on the latest research showing that laminitis is an intense inflammatory injury of the foot and is no longer believed to be solely a blood flow problem.
In general, controlled studies do not exist regarding the efficacy of various treatments for laminitis, and some therapies have additional risks beyond their failure to improve the situation.
Experts discussed the causes, treatments, detection, and prevention of laminitis at the 2008 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention. Topics included the efficiency of drug treatment, managing acute/chronic laminitis, foot and open-sole casts, and supporting limb laminitis.
In recent months progress has been made in building the foundation for the fight against laminitis, with the addition of Professor Christopher Pollitt, BVSc, PhD, a world-renowned laminitis researcher, as research director for the Laminitis
The Australian Brumby Research Unit at the University of Queensland’s School of Veterinary Sciences is conducting an array of research projects involving horses in a free-roaming environment.
Australia has more than 500,000 feral horses,
The new study, “Effect of Digital Hypothermia on Inflammatory Injury in Laminitis,” is a two-year project funded by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Charities’ Barbaro Memorial Fund, established in memory of the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner
In California, teff is being called the “perfect grass for foundered horses.” But is teff hay always safe for horses that are intolerant of high-sugar forage?
Philanthropists John K. and Marianne Castle have been named the 2008 recipients of the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ George Stubbs Award, an honor that recognizes contributions made to equine veterinary
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced Dec. 5 that its subsidiary, NTRA Charities, has disbursed $90,801 in support of one new and two continuing equine medical research projects.
The disbursements were made from the NTRA
Horses are often fed diets that also contain high levels of grains and supplements to maximise growth or productivity. Katie Young, PhD, consulting equine nutritionist for Purina Mills, presented information on forage options for horses with commonly
The first Laminitis West Seminar–an expansion of the International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot held in West Palm Beach, Fla., every other year–will be held Nov. 1 at the Monterey Convention Center in Monterey, Calif
Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Professional Farriers Association hosted an educational event Sept. 13 for farriers, veterinarians, and horse owners alike. More than 50 peoples from four states attended the event.
Esco Buff, PhD,
What do nutritional supplements, infectious diseases, and snake bites have in common? All were considered “hot
Stay on top of the most recent Horse Health news with
