What is laminitis?

Question

I am an experienced horseback rider/horsewoman, but I've never come across a horse with aminitis. Does it have anything to do with a horse being lame? Believe me, I am experienced, just not with this. A detailed explanation would be much appreciated!!! :)

Thanks to all answers! :)

Answer 1

idk

Answer 2

www.askjeeves.com

has tons of pictures and information on it. Would have put it all on here but would have taken forever.

Answer 3

Laminitis is ther seperation of the hoof wall from the laminie, When it get really bad the coffin bone starts to rotate,also. My QH was diagnosed with it, It can be caused from eating spring pasture, injures, and not having the hooves kept up. It is not related to founder, but i can make the horse lame.

Answer 4

Laminitis is a disease of the digital laminae of the hoof (foot of an ungulate). It is most well known in horses and cattle.

Answer 5

"Laminitis is a painful and potentially crippling disease that can be

fatal. An animal may have to be humanely destroyed if the effects

of the disease have become so serious that it is inhumane to

continue to attempt further treatment."

Answer 6

It's a hoof disease and it sucks. My old used-to-be horse Falmingo got it...:(

Answer 7

laminitis is a REALLY painful condition that occurs in the horse's hoof.  I guess the simplest way to describe it would be to say that the pedal (coffin)bone tears away from the hoof wall and rotates within the hoof.  In the worst case scenario, it can result in the pedal bone penetrating the sole of the hoof.

Needless to say, it can cause extreme lameness!  One of the signs you might see is if your horse is standing with his front legs extended out forward.  They do this to try to put more weight on their back feet and less weight on the front.  You might also notice heat in the horses feet.  If your horse has these symptoms I strongly recommend contacting your vet who will advise you on feed changes and may administer a painkiller for short term relief.

Horses who have chronic laminitis may have rings on the outside of the hoof wall that will be wider at the heel than at the toe.

Laminitis is also sometimes called founder and is frequently caused by the horse "pigging out" on lush grass or worse yet, by helping himself to the grain (overload).

Hopefully, you will NEVER have to experience having a horse with laminitis.

Answer 8

Laminitis is also known as founder. It is a inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the foot. It may be acute of chronic and it may involve 1 or all 4 feet. Most commonly both forefeet are affected.

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index....

Answer 9

A horse with laminitis can be chronically lame...the laminae has been inflamed..(this is the heat in the feet that is talked about)....frequently due to grass/grain/feed...this can lead to founder - the rotation of the coffin bone, sometimes right through the sole of the foot...