Text Box:                                                                  Laminitis. Although laminitis is an ever present threat to all horses and ponies, there is a peak in the incidence around this time of year with the flush of good grass. All horses are at risk, not just the pony population. As with humans, the key to health and happiness is more exercise and less food. Beware of the threat of laminitis and, if appropriate, restrict your horse's grazing and hard food accordingly. An increase in body condition, a larger than usual crest or the development of 'digital pulses' in the fetlock region are all early warning signs that, if noticed, may help prevent the onset of the disease. Prompt treatment is essential- laminitis should be treated as an emergency if the severe after effects are to be minimised. If in doubt, contact your vet for advice as soon as you are concerned. If you do not know how to check for digital pulses ask your vet to demonstrate how to feel for them at the next time you are at the vets; it is an invaluable trick to learn and to constantly check for.

Text Box:   Laminitis usually affects the front feet. Inflammation occurs in the inside lining of the foot and heat can be felt, especially around the front and the pony moves with short pottering steps and is unwilling to put weight on the front feet. In extreme cases the pony may be unwilling to move at all. The pony may also have a temperature and increased pulse and respiration rate. Rings may also form around the wall of the hoof and in extreme cases the coffin bone within the hoof wall may penetrate the sole of the foot. The most common causes are excessive feeding and excessive trotting on hard surfaces and many ponies suffer as a result of the lush spring grass. Other conditions increase the risk of laminitis such as cancer of the pituarity gland, toxemia, extreme lameness and the use of corticosteriods. However, sometimes there may be no obvious cause. Although not all cases are preventable, not allowing ponies to become overweight, restriction of lush grass and regular foot care will all reduce the risk of laminitis. Veterinary advice should be sought immediately. Whilst waiting for the vet, if possible to move the pony, it should be placed in a stable with deep bedding and not be fed. In severe cases the pony should not be moved. Laminitis weakens or destroys the laminae between the coffin bone and the hoof wall and so there is no cure but treatment can ease the condition. X-rays of the feet, particularly as the laminitis progresses, allows the movement of the coffin bone to be monitored. Treatment may involve removing the shoes, pairing the feet, hosing the feet, reducing of feed, limiting grazing, and exercising on grass to encourage blood circulation within the feet. Anti-inflammatory drugs may also be administered to provide relief. In very severe cases euthanasia may need to be considered.

Text Box: SUMMER PROBLEMS CONTINUED….

Laminitis is a painful condition of the feet. The actual word laminitis means 'inflammation (itis) of the sensitive laminae (lamin)'. These laminae are the membranes that hold the bone of the foot (pedal bone) in place inside the foot. So in Laminitis when they get inflamed it is as if your horse has to stand on a very badly bruised fingernail.

The pain of laminitis must be similar to when we shut our fingers in the car door but it is worse for the horse because he or she has to stand with all his or her weight on those bruised areas. Laminitis can occur in any horse at any time of year but most commonly affects ponies and show horses in the spring when new lush grass starts growing.