Laminitis (Founder)

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.

Causes of Laminitis

The same disease has several different causes, which include:

  • Endocrine-associated laminitis, which is the most common cause, occurs in horses with insulin dysregulation, often due to equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) or pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID, or equine Cushing’s disease ), and exacerbated by ingestion of starch and sugars in feed or pasture (grass founder).
  • Sepsis-related laminitis is due to toxins in the bloodstream of sick horses (e.g., those with diarrhea, colic, retained placenta, or metritis—uterine infection);
  • Supporting-limb laminitis, which is caused by excessive weight bearing on a limb as a result of a painful injury in the opposite limb (e.g., fracture).

Clinical Signs (Symptoms) of Laminitis in Horses

  • Reluctance or inability to walk, or profound lameness;
  • Frequent weight shifting;
  • Abnormal stance and weight distribution to relieve pressure on the affected limb(s);
  • Increased heart and respiratory rate, and sweating;
  • Glazed, pained facial expression;
  • Bounding digital arterial pulses; and
  • Feet that are consistently warmer than usual to the touch.
Subcategories:
None

Barbaro Memorial Fund to Benefit Laminitis Research

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced today (Feb. 1) that it will lead a national fundraising program, the NTRA Charities Barbaro Memorial Fund, to raise awareness and money for equine health and safety research in the name of

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Readers Vote: Top Hoof Issues




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When horse owners wer

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Another Good Week for Barbaro

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Led to the gate for the first race of his career, Barbaro shied away, reluctant to get started.


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Barbaro’s Surgeon Answers Questions From the Public

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He’s looking good, feeling good and eating well these days, yet Barbaro is still a long way from leaving the hospital.

The Kentucky Derby winner went for his daily walk outside the intensive care unit at the New Bolton Center on Tuesday,

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Pasture-Associated Laminitis and Countermeasures

Researchers with the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research in Aberystwyth, Wales, suggested some possible preventative measures for pasture-associated laminitis in the July issue of the Journal of Nutrition.

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Boot on Barbaro’s Laminitic Hoof Replaced With Bandage

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Richardson Pleased with Patient’s Progress

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Barbaro Continues to Do Well

Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro continues to please veterinarians with his progress after his most recent right hind leg cast change last week. “Barbaro is wearing the new cast satisfactorily,” said Dean W. Richardson, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, Chief of

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Hay for the Laminitic Horse

Is there a particular type of grass hay that is better than others for maintenance diet for a laminitic horse?

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