• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
I Heart Horses
  • Contribute
  • Horse Care
  • News
  • Horse Videos & Fun
  • Horse Fun
  • Rescue
  • Tips For Riders
  • Videos
  • Heartwarming
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Contribute
  • Horse Care
  • News
  • Horse Videos & Fun
  • Horse Fun
  • Rescue
  • Tips For Riders
  • Videos
  • Heartwarming
  • Fun Facts
  • Stories
  • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Horse Care

    New Hope For The Treatment And Prevention Of Laminitis In Horses

    Published: Jun 11, 2017 · Modified: Dec 9, 2018 by ihearthorses · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Laminitis is a debilitating disease that affects the tissue that connects hoof to bone. In the most severe cases, euthanasia is the only humane treatment. What can you do to prevent laminitis in horses, and what treatments are available if your horse does develop laminitis? Here are the 3 types of laminitis with prevention and treatment options for each.

    #1 - Supporting-Limb Laminitis

    Horses usually shift their weight from foot to foot so that no limb bears weight all the time. When one leg is injured and can’t bear weight, the opposite leg is forced to support more weight than usual. This is one cause of laminitis.

    Scientists are working to develop mechanical interventions to help support the horse’s weight and prevent disturbances to blood flow that may occur when a horse’s ability to shift its weight is impaired. Until these interventions are perfected, the best way to prevent supporting-limb laminitis is to provide a stall large enough for the horse to lie down with very thick, non-edible bedding.

    #2 - A Result of Systemic Disease

    Laminitis can be a side effect of systemic diseases such as colitis or sepsis. Major progress is being made in the treatment of this form of laminitis by using cryotherapy (foot cooling). Cryotherapy can stop and even partially reverse damage caused by laminitis.

    #3 - Insulin Resistance

    The most common form of laminitis is formed by the overproduction of insulin. It’s similar to Type 2 diabetes in people. Whereas people stop producing insulin, horses make too much and the insulin causes changes in the horse’s feet.

    Since insulin resistance may be tied to Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), which is the equine version of Cushing’s disease, regular testing for PPID may help prevent laminitis by treating insulin resistance before it starts to cause problems with the horse’s feet. Many symptoms of PPID resemble normal aging, so it’s important to have yearly vet checks.

    Scientists are investigating the underlying molecular events that contribute to this form of laminitis. They’re hoping to find drugs to block the insulin-triggered pathways that can lead to foot problems. Cryotherapy is also being tested to see if it works as well for this form on laminitis as in horses with systemic illnesses.

    With any form of laminitis in horses, acetaminophen is showing promise as a pain reliever with fewer side effects than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). More research needs to be done to verify its safety, so talk to your vet before trying it yourself.

    Horse Courses by Elaine Heney

    • Listening to the Horse - The Documentary by Elaine Heney & Grey Pony Films
    • Shoulder In & Out Training for better balance, bend & topline development with your horse
    • Over 110+ Polework Exercises & Challenges to Download
    • Dancing at Liberty & Creating Connection with Your Horse (11 lessons) - Grey Pony Films
     

    (H/T: Penn Current, Pet Gazette, The Horse)

    More Horse Care

    • Study Helps Horse Owners Recognize The Facial Expressions Of Pain
    • Program Pairs Prison Inmates With Retired Race Horses
    • New Research Facility Promises Innovative Treatments For Pets & People
    • 6 Tips For Improving Your Horse's Coat, Mane, And Tail

    Sharing is caring!

    1.7K shares
    • Share1.7K
    • Tweet

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    Recent Posts

    • 15 Fantastic Pictures of Horse's Jumping to Make You Smile
    • Pros and Cons of Braiding Your Horse's Mane or Tail
    • 10 Things to Do with Your Horse That Aren't Riding
    • 30 Stunning Pictures of White Horses You Must See
    • 17 Inspirational TikTok Horse Accounts To Lift Your Spirits

    Categories

    Follow Us

    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • YouTube

    iHeartHorses.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 · iHeartHorses Inc.

    1.7K shares
    • 1.7K

    Terms and Conditions - Privacy Policy