Laminitis can be heartbreaking for both the horse and owner. Quite often the horse is in severe pain, the horse owner is generally unsure of what to do and is unaware of the cause and is therefore left feeling guilty. Laminitis generally affects the fore feet more than the hind feet and in acute cases the horse will stand and walk with the front feet stretched forward and unwilling to take weight on the toe of the foot. The horse shifts weight from one foot to the other and will bring its hind feet well under its body to take the weight off the fore feet.
What is Laminitis?
Prof. Chris Pollitt, who is world renowned for his research on laminitis, describes laminitis simply as this: -
“In the normal horse or pony the distal phalanx (coffin or pedal bone) is attached to the inside of the hoof by a tough, but flexible, suspensory apparatus. The surface of the inner hoof wall is folded into leaf-like lamellae (laminae) to increase the surface area of this suspensory apparatus. A horse has laminitis when these lamellae suddenly fail. Without the distal phalanx properly attached to the inside of the hoof, the weight of the horse and the forces of locomotion drive the bone down into the hoof capsule. Important arteries and veins are sheared and crushed and the corium of the coronet and sole is damaged. There is unrelenting pain in the feet and a characteristic lameness”. (Pollitt)
Various stress factors are known to cause laminitis. These include: abnormal concussion or weight bearing, overwork for the level of conditioning, drinking cold water when hot and causing colic, separation from a companion, hauling long distances without rest, high fever for an extended period of time, and a toxic level of drugs. Overweight, cresty neck mares and stallions are most susceptible.(Butler, 2004)
What should I do if I suspect my horse has laminitis?
It is critical to provide early treatment and the veterinarian should be called immediately. Your vet will provide the necessary pain relief and sometimes provide a temporary mechanical support to the foot. A confined area with deep bedding should be arranged to allow the horse as much comfort as possible. The deep bedding will also allow the horse to place his feet in the position that feels most comfortable when standing. Do not force the horse to stand or walk.
Treatment
The management and treatment of laminitis can be ongoing and expensive with an unpredictable outcome. It is necessary for the veterinarian, farrier and owner to work together to increase the chances of a successful outcome. Radiographs should be taken using markers on the feet to determine the severity of the rotation of the pedal bone and to be used as a reference to aid in the application of a mechanical support device. The farrier’s role is: to remodel the hoof capsule according to the position of the pedal bone, to apply protection and mechanical support to the foot and to relieve strain on the deep digital flexor tendon. The application of heart bar shoes is common in the treatment of laminitis.
A properly fitted heart-bar shoe transfers some of the weight-bearing capacity of the foot to the frog and thus allowing other parts of the foot to be rehabilitated. (Pollitt, 1995). The tip of the frog plate should be placed perpendicular to the centre of the pedal bone(P3) using the radiographs as a reference. Too far forward may cause a sole abscess and too far back will make the shoe ineffective.
I am currently using hand forged aluminium heartbar shoes in combination with leather pads and cushion support material to support the frog and the area of the foot behind the centre of the pedal bone. A rolled toe is forged to enable the horse to break over at a position in line with the tip of the pedal bone with the aim to take the strain off the Deep Digital Flexor Tendon. Wedges are also sometimes used (dependant on the degree of rotation). I believe this method is the most successful application of mechanical support I have used to date. Aluminium is used to allow for the use of a wider, thicker shoe without adding unnecessary weight and also provides greater forging options than steel. The leather pads are used for their mouldable capabilities and to provide further protection to the pedal bone. It is important to note that the cushion support material should not be applied forward of thecentre of P3.
References
Butler, D. D. B. a. J. (2004) Principles of Horseshoeing, Doug Butler Enterprises Inc, LaPorte, Colorado.
Pollitt, C. C. (1995) Color Atlas of the Horse's Foot, Mosby-Wolfe, London.
