Equestrian Hub Magazine September October 2021

Page 46

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Horses susceptible to laminitis should be removed from the paddock before 11:00am.

VET VIBES

Laminitis: the latest findings

E

quine laminitis (sometimes known as founder) is a complex, multifactorial syndrome that

manifests as pain and lameness in the feet. The modern horse is bigger and heavier than its ancestor, the Prewejski horse, which stood at around 14.2hh. However, hoof size has changed little over the millennia and the structure of the equine hoof today is very close to its mechanical limits, and has become a major focus for problems.

The latest research into laminitis has produced some interesting findings. Veterinarian DR. DOUG ENGLISH explains why laminitis is a more complex problem than was at first thought.

Essentially, laminitis is caused by a cascade of inflammatory and vascular reactions, which cause damage to the structure and function of the hoof’s suspensory apparatus: the lamellae


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