HORSE KEEPING
WINTER LAMINITIS Dr. Sammy Pitman is a renowned farrier and veterinarian – and an expert in the field of equine podiatry. Here, he offers some of his best advice for navigating winter laminitis. B Y J E N N W E B ST E R
Laminitis is considered one of the emergencies of the equine world. In serious situations, the condition observes the inflammation or tearing of the sensitive and insensitive laminae away from one another in the horse’s foot. Worst-case scenarios involve the displacement or rotation of the coffin bone in the foot. If the horse can move when it occurs, the horse’s movement will be stiff and stilted, a higher digital pulse can be felt in its feet and the feet may be hot to the touch. The horse’s heart rate may also be elevated and the same with its respiratory rate. It’s an urgent situation that requires immediate attention and whatever care the horse receives in the beginning stages can determine how well the horse recovers from the condition. Laminitis can be caused by retained placentas, hoof concussion or too much grain or lush grass. Other factors may include colitis or colic, or long term weight-bearing on a single leg. Commonly, laminitis is observed in warmer months when the horse is at full use, however laminitis may also be seen in winter months when horses are turned 16
ALBERTA BITS I FALL/WINTER 2020
out to pasture or are on a break from their regular schedule. “Laminitis can occur in the winter months for all the same reasons it does at other times of the year, but there may be additional risk factors contributing to it during colder weather,” says Sammy Pitman, DVM and owner of Innovative Equine Podiatry (IEPVS) in Collinsville, Texas. Dr. Pittman has been a farrier for 20 years and a veterinarian for 17 years. His passion is all about equine podiatry, with a large focus on laminitis, founder, thin soles, navicular, foal limb development, angular limb deformities and more. His business is concentrated 100 per cent on equine lower limb and hoof problems and he has proven to be an invaluable resource for horse owners, and other veterinarians and farriers across the globe. As Dr. Pittman is based in Texas, one might wonder how knowledgeable this vet/ farrier would be about equine podiatry in colder climates. Having lived near Anchorage, Alaska, for over two years, Dr. Pittman fully understands the effects an
extremely cold climate can have on horses. With his years of experience underneath the horse as a farrier and working as a veterinarian, Dr. Pittman gives us a better understanding of winter laminitis so we may be able to prevent this debilitating disease during cold weather. Read on for his thoughts and advice for keeping your horse comfortable this winter.
THE CHALLENGES OF WINTER
Winter laminitis is by definition, the same as regular laminitis – however, there may be other contributing factors leading to its occurrence in colder weather. “It shapes up the same ways it does during other times of the year,” says Dr. Pittman. “But, going into the fall and winter months, there is a natural rise in the cortisol levels of the horse that creates more insulin resistance. Add that to decreased activity and the fact that the horse is not engaging its muscles and glucose levels as well, there are more stressors that can lead to laminitic changes.” Dr. Pittman believes that the changes
