... #4 - Founder (Laminitis) Laminitis, otherwise known as founder, is a result of the bone in the foot losing its connection with the … Laminitis can start due to a number of different issues. It was once associated primarily with overweight ponies, but it can affect any age or size of horse. If laminitis is not treated promptly, the pedal bone can drop (these cases are described as ‘sinkers’) or rotate downwards. Laminitis is a painful and potentially crippling disease that can be fatal to horses; Diseases with inflammation, hormonal diseases and mechanical overload are just some of the causes of laminitis The first thing to note is that laminitis is a veterinary emergency and you should contact your vet immediately if you suspect your horse might have it. Colic and laminitis, two of the most common equine ailments, can both result from overconsumption of high-carbohydrate concentrates or lush grass. Laminitis is an extremely painful condition that can affect any horse, pony, donkey or mule. The causes of laminitis can be categorised into 3 groups; sepsis associated, hormone associated and mechanical overload. A horse that has suffered from chronic founder will have horizontal rings on the hoof wall. Severe lameness in one limb will cause a horse or pony to carry excessive weight on his other limbs, which may cause laminitis. Laminitis affects nearly 10% of the equine population and can occur with sudden onset in horses, ponies, and even donkeys. Causes of Equine Laminitis. Traumatic laminitis is caused by repeated physical trauma to the feet during e.g. Laminitis can have many causes. Horse lameness is a serious issue. Laminitis, also referred to as founder, is an inflammation of the laminae, folds of keratinized epidermal tissue that help to tether the internal structure of the foot to the hoof walls. Here are a couple of ways to help prevent laminitis from doing more damage: Well-balanced diet. This can all occur before any symptoms are apparent and once the process has started it is extremely difficult to stop. Laminitis is due to a complex chemical process damaging the supportive tissues inside the hoof - are you interested in that chemical/biological process itself, or what causes it to start? The condition is a complex series of events that causes the soft tissues (laminae) within the hoof to swell, weaken and die. Other causes include severe colic, some drugs (corticosteroids), serious infections (such as salmonella), Potomac Horse Fever, systemic strangles, Lyme disease, retained … Various medicines can be given to control the pain including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone ('bute') or flunixin and opiates like morphine and pethidine. Horses have likely been developing laminitis for as long as they have walked the earth; Understanding and identifying the causes of laminitis is the key to prevention; Early diagnosis of laminitis both by clinical exam and x-rays will improve the likelihood of successful treatment Laminitis can, but does not always, result in founder. Every horse is different and will show different symptoms and different degrees of pain - recognise and investigate any of these signs - too many horses go undiagnosed because the early signs of laminitis are not picked up - the earlier you recognise the symptoms, remove the cause and support the feet, the better the … The lameness can vary from a mild alteration in gait at walk, right through to refusal to move, and even recumbency (lying down). For horses with chronic laminitis, the degree of recovery may not be determined for months or even years. CAUSES OF LAMINITIS. Endotoxins. The one we usually think of is when a horse overeats grain or large amounts of lush, green pasture grass. The inner surface of the hoof is folded in the form of sheets to increase the grip space of this suspensory ligament. It is also one of the most common reasons for disability and lameness in ponies and horses. Reports from some of the reputable sources indicate that episodes of this disease occur in about one in two-hundred horses. Luckily, some of the factors that cause a horse to be lame are preventable and many are manageable if caught early. Laminitis is a complex cascade of events that causes the soft tissues (laminae) within the hoof to swell, weaken and die. During intense exercise, there may not be enough oxygen available to complete the process, so a substance called lactate is made. But first, we need to recognise the signs of laminitis. What are the causes of laminitis in the horse? Our article Causes Of Laminitis In Horses discusses more about what predisposed your horse to this life threatening problem in the first place. Laminitis (also termed founder) is inflammation of the laminae of the foot – the soft tissue structures that attach the coffin or pedal bone of the foot to the hoof wall. The term founder describes the sinking of the horse’s pedal bone. Excessive feed intake: The main cause of laminitis in horses in Australia and in most parts of the developed world is from allowing horses to overeat and become obese. Or pony, regardless of breed bone in the hoof factors that cause horse. To help prevent laminitis from doing more damage: Well-balanced diet one we think... Sources indicate that episodes of this suspensory ligament disability and lameness in one limb will cause a overeats. Causes severe lameness requires lifestyle adjustments and damage to the laminae causes extreme pain and leads to instability the! 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