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Laminitis: all you need to know
22 April, 2008
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H&H horse care archive: laminitis
Laminitis is a major worry for horse owners as the weather improves and the spring grass starts to grow.
Owners of horses and ponies prone to laminitis need to start taking action now to ensure they don't find themselves dealing with a case of acute laminitis this year.
While overweight horses and ponies are particularly susceptible to the condition, with experts pointing the finger at overweight horses in the show ring as being at particularly high risk, any horse or pony can develop laminitis so all owners should know what signs to look out for. Competition horses working on hard ground are also susceptible to the condition.
Signs of laminitis
Early indications that a horse may be suffering the early stages of laminitis include:
- Poor performance: unwilling to go forward, refusing at jump
- Increased fatty distension of the crest
- Rapid weight gain
- Shortened stride on hard ground
- Frequent weight swapping from one fore foot to the other
- Strong and rapid pulse in more than one lower limb
A horse suffering from acute laminitis will be reluctant to move and may lie down to try and reduce the pain. Once down it will be extremely reluctant to get to its feet. When standing it will stretch its forelegs out in front, carrying its weight on its heels. The hind legs will be well under the body and it may shift its weight from side to side.
If you suspect laminitis seek veterinary advice immediately. Prompt diagnosis and the correct treatment, combined with careful ongoing management and shoeing, can make the difference between a speedy resolution with a return to full work and irreversible foot changes.
H&H horse care archive: laminitis
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