Winter Laminitis In Horses
Some horses have a history of winter laminitis that strikes the same time every year and is resistant to all efforts at treatment until one day in early spring it suddenly goes away.
Winter laminitis in horses. Evidence supporting this theory was obtained by an owner of a horse with a history of repeated bouts of winter laminitis. However this is in fact not a true laminitis. Here s how to spot the warning signs and act fast to manage them. She took her horse to her veterinarian s clinic for thermographic examination.
The pain is often severe but the feet are not hot as they are in classical acute laminitis cases. Laminitis has become one of the most heavily researched aspects of lameness because it affects so many horses. Many have a history of laminitis at other times of the year but some do not. Every winter some owners and caretakers are faced with the onset of obvious foot pain in their horses for no apparent reason.
Horse owners are well aware of the dangers spring grass causes certain horses but the potential for winter laminitis can be problematic for horses with endocrine problems. Winter laminitis can strike with no change in diet or management. Winter laminitis pain is a significant problem for some of these horses. Something like winter related hoof pain syndrome would be a better name.
Are some horses more susceptible than others. Horses and ponies with insulin resistance can founder in the winter months with seemingly no identifiable predisposing factor shared kathleen crandell ph d a. Suddenly plummeting temperatures cause the adrenal glands to produce more cortisol. Thermography measures the surface temperature of the body.