Main Causes Of Laminitis In Horses

Laminitis commonly known as founder is a painful disease that causes severe lameness in horses.

Main causes of laminitis in horses.

There are 3 main causes of laminitis. The main cause of laminitis in horses in australia and in most parts of the developed world is obesity dependent laminitis odl. Several factors can also predispose a horse to developing laminitis such as being overweight or especially those horses that have had laminitis previously. Horses ponies donkeys mules and wild equids the disease process involves a breakdown of the bond between the hoof wall and the distal phalanx commonly called the coffin bone pedal bone or third phalanx p3.

Laminitis inflammation of the lamina of the hoof is a common and potentially devastating foot problem that affects all members of the equine family. There are a number of contributing factors overload inflammation metabolic issues and physical trauma among them. It can often cause lameness in two or all four feet at one time but it is preventable. There are many causes of equine stress and due to some stress laminitis in horses may be developed.

Laminitis tends to be a secondary condition arising from a variety of sources so we ll guide you through the most common. Severe lameness in one limb will cause a horse or pony to carry excessive weight on his other limbs which may cause laminitis. After a long journey due to the transportation of horses introduction to the new environment staying a long time in hard standing riding horses in the unknown trail and unfamiliar stablemates may also lead to laminitis. While the exact mechanisms by which the feet are damaged remain a mystery certain precipitating events can produce laminitis.

The media has made a significant push on the unfortunately high rate of human obesity but companion animals such as horses dogs and cats are also suffering from alarming rates of obesity. Relatively less commonly horses can get laminitis from overload typically associated with non weight bearing conditions in one limb thereby overloading the opposite limb. In this post we ll go over what laminitis is what causes it and how to prevent it. It can also be caused by overenthusiastic hoof trimming.

In this article i will discuss the main causes of laminitis in horses and how you as an owner can be vigilant to prevent laminitis in your horse. The causes vary and may include the following. What causes laminitis in horses. Overload inflammatory and metabolic.

Naturally there are many possible causes of laminitis in horses but as mentioned above properly identifying the source is the first step to recovery. What causes laminitis in horses. Although laminitis occurs in the feet the underlying cause is often a disturbance elsewhere in the horse s body. Causes of laminitis in horses.