What causes laminitis in horses?

Causes include high-starch or lush pasture diets, obesity, endocrine disorders like EMS or PPID, systemic illness, and mechanical stress from uneven weight-bearing.

What are the stages of laminitis?

Laminitis progresses through developmental, acute, and chronic phases. Each involves increasing damage to the laminae and risk of coffin bone rotation or sinking.

Can laminitis be cured?

Laminitis cannot always be cured, but with early detection, veterinary care, diet management, and supportive hoof care, it can often be managed successfully.

How can laminitis be prevented?

Prevention focuses on managing diet, maintaining healthy weight, monitoring for endocrine issues, providing regular farrier care, and avoiding excessive mechanical stress on the hooves.

Laminitis: Understanding the Causes, Mechanisms, and Management

July 27, 2023

Why Does Laminitis Happen? Causes, Mechanisms, and Management

Laminitis is one of the most devastating equine conditions, affecting the laminae that anchor the hoof wall to the coffin bone. Understanding its causes and phases helps owners and veterinarians act early to protect horses from lasting damage.

The Laminitic Cascade

Laminitis progresses through three phases:

Developmental Phase: Triggered by diet, hormonal imbalance, systemic inflammation, or mechanical overload.
Acute Phase: Inflammation, ischemia, and release of damaging mediators disrupt blood flow and laminar bonds.
Chronic Phase: Long-term structural changes like coffin bone rotation or sinking; hoof deformities and ongoing pain.

Contributing Factors

Diet & Obesity: High-carbohydrate feeds and lush pastures can trigger laminitis, especially in overweight horses.
Endocrine Disorders: EMS and PPID (Cushing’s disease) create insulin dysregulation and chronic inflammation.
Mechanical Stress: Uneven weight-bearing or overwork on hard surfaces compromises hoof blood supply.

Managing Laminitis Risk

Work with your vet on early detection and endocrine testing.
Maintain proper diet—low NSC forage, limited lush pasture, and controlled grain intake.
Provide routine farrier care to balance hooves and reduce stress.
Encourage exercise suited to the horse’s condition to improve circulation and metabolic health.

Care Reminder: Laminitis-prone horses often have sensitive skin and coats. Support overall wellness with gentle grooming solutions like ShowBarn Secret® Soothing Horse Shampoo, formulated without SLS to maintain skin balance and reduce irritation.

Conclusion

Laminitis is complex, multifactorial, and requires early recognition, careful management, and a proactive approach to diet and hoof care. By addressing risk factors and working closely with your veterinarian and farrier, you can reduce its impact and safeguard your horse’s long-term soundness.

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