What Causes Laminitis?
Laminitis is one of the leading causes of death in horses. There are several causes, the most common being an endocrine (hormonal) problem affecting their metabolism. One metabolic disease is Equine Metabolic Syndrome or Insulin Dysregulation. It is like type ll diabetes in people, but not quite the same. Horses in this category are typically overweight and have abnormal deposits of fat called regional adiposities.
Another endocrine disease that can cause laminitis is PPID (Equine Cushing’s) in older horses. Other causes can include contact with black walnut shavings, grain overload from having access to too much grain at once, severe infections, and grazing on grasses on pasture at certain stages of plant growth.
What are the signs of laminitis?
Horses with laminitis can show several different signs. The signs can include reluctance to move, walking slowly and painfully, shifting weight between the front two feet or between all four feet, leaning back, and placing the weight on the back legs with the front legs stiff and out in front. 
They often lay down more than usual because their feet hurt.
What should I do if my horse shows signs of laminitis?
Call an equine veterinarian immediately.
If my horse shows signs of laminitis, what can I do until the veterinarian arrives?
Follow the instructions from the veterinarian. Provide deep bedding for the horse to stand in or lie down if possible. If that is not possible, provide an area of deep sand for the horse to stand in for comfort and foot support.
Will my horse recover from laminitis?
Depending on the cause, most horses can recover with early detection and correct diagnosis. If any horse shows foot pain, it should see an equine veterinarian immediately. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial.
What happens in my horse’s foot with laminitis?
Laminitis is the medical term for inflammation of the lamina in the horse’s foot. The lamina provides the attachment of the hoof to the underlying coffin bone. If the inflammation is severe enough, the hoof can become detached from the bone and move downward toward the ground (sinking), and it can rotate away from the hoof wall toward the ground. Radiographs are essential to evaluate a horse with laminitis properly and should be taken on the first veterinary visit if possible. The measurements gained from the X-rays will provide a prognosis and help design the best 
treatment for recovery.
How is laminitis treated?
Veterinarians seek the underlying cause and try to correct it. Blood work is often helpful for managing these conditions. If PPID (Cushings) and Metabolic Syndrome (Insulin Resistance) are suspected, blood is collected to determine insulin and ACTH levels. Medications such as Prascend and thyroid replacer may be prescribed.
Pain relief (phenylbutazone or flunixin) is prescribed as needed.
Therapeutic shoeing is essential. The forces at play within the weakened hoof must be addressed to prevent the coffin bone from moving through the bottom of the foot. A capable farrier should work hand in hand with the veterinarian to design the best therapeutic shoeing approach for your horse.
The goal of treatment is to stabilize the attachment of the lamina to the bone in the hoof and neutralize the forces causing the sinking and rotation of the coffin bone. In cases where rotation and sinking occur, the extra goal is to de-rotate the coffin bone and move it further up in the hoof to prevent the bone from coming through the bottom of the foot.
How long does it take to repair damage from laminitis?
Mild cases can be repaired quickly in 4-6 weeks. More complicated cases with rotation and sinking can require up to a year to grow a new foot.
