Laminitis in Ponies

Laminitis (equine laminitis) is a disease of the foot, in which the circulation in the sensitive laminae (the part of the hoof that binds the 'dead' horny part to the 'live' fleshy part) becomes compromised. In healthy feet, the hoof is firmly attached to the pedal bone, by these laminae. The result of the circulation disturbance is damage to the sensitive supporting structures with necrosis (death) of some of the tissues. The resultant inflammation and swelling give rise to the pain, confined as these tissues are within a tight hoof capsule and subject to the shearing forces exerted by the horse's body weight, supported through the laminae.

Early signs of the disease can be 'footiness' on hard surfaces, hesitancy on the turn, warmth in the feet and increased lying down.

Possible triggers are:
1. Sudden change in the bacterial balance in the large bowel, causing a release of bacterial endotoxins.
2. Unsuitable diet
3. Trauma - bruising or repetitive trauma
4. Trauma - penetrating injury
5. Toxins ingested
6. Indirect effect of herbicides
7. Artificial nitrogenous fertiliser (direct and indirect effects)
8. Heat (e.g. with extreme hot shoeing)
9. Frost (direct and indirect effects i.e. via frost-damaged grass or via 'frostbite')
10. Shock / Stress
11. Fever
12. Toxaemia / Septicaemia
13. Anaphylaxis
14. Vaccination
15. Steroid / Cortisone administration (steroid-induced laminitis - which can be very difficult to treat)
16. Disease, e.g. Cushings Syndrome

ACUPUNCTURE - HOMEOPATHY - HERBS - DIET

Conventionally, your vet will advice pain-killing anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and box confinement (box rest - stable rest). Sadly, the success rate is terribly low, with a figure quoted by an expert witness in a recent court case of about one in 30 to one in 40 cases staging recovery.

Cases of laminitis can be successfully treated with homeopathy or with acupuncture. Herbs (herbal medicine) may also play a part and a chiropractic assessment and manipulation is important to well being and function. Homeopathically, sometimes with the support of herbs and acupuncture, the vast majority of cases are expected to recover. The pony is allowed gentle and voluntary movement/exercise, from the outset. Homeopathic remedies are prescribed according to the signs shown and the circumstances (Homeopathic Treatment for Animals and Laminitis Information Sheet), often being selected from among the following: Aconitum, Belladonna, Hypericum, Fluoric Acid, Graphites, Secale and Silica. Acupuncture may be indicated, especially in a phase of acute and severe pain, often being effective where conventional pain-killing drugs have not been.

There are many indigenous herbs that can offer excellent nutritional benefit and metabolic aid. Some can even offer anti-inflammatory or pain-killing benefits.

A combined homeopathic vet/acupuncture vet/herbal vet should be able to outline your options.

ACUPUNCTURE - HOMEOPATHY - HERBS - DIET

Trimming is very important. Too much heel is bad. In so many long-standing cases, there is excessive hoof, with the pony standing high off the ground. The farrier may have been over-cautious. From the outset, it is vital to retain as much of the normal shape as possible. In later chronic cases, there is usually much hoof deformity. Regular enlightened hoof care is essential. X-Rays may be necessary.

It is fair to say that there are different schools of thought about the correct mode of trimming and caring for the affected hoof. Whichever method is used. there should be a strategy that expects a return to more or less normal hoof shape and function, within a reasonable period. This even applies when there has been some movement (rotation) of the pedal bone.

We are unable to recommend shavings for bedding for laminitis sufferers.

Seek holistic veterinary advice on optimum diet, hoof care and medical integration.

All seem to agree that diet is very important. Holistic veterinarians and conventional veterinarians both work to help an affected horse or pony via diet. However, the means of doing so and the theories behind the advice diverge widely.

All seem to agree that non-structural carbohydrates (NSC - sugars) are dangerous.

Preventing all access to grass may be wrong, as re-introducing grass after apparent resolution of the problem may cause a bad relapse.

Lush green growing lowland grass is a hazard. A limited quantity of older stemmy grass is possible in most cases.

Grass that has been fertilised with artificial nitrogen is very dangerous, since this raises non-structural carbohydrates and non-protein nitrogen compounds and alters the vital mineral balance of the grass and of the ground.

Nettles that have been sprayed (even with so-called 'livestock safe' compounds) are very dangerous, even in small quantities.

Hay from fertilised ground or chemically-treated ground is likewise dangerous.

We do not advocate the feeding of haylage to ponies and horses.

There is a bewildering array of supplements claiming that they can help. Great caution is required and it may be better to avoid them all. Their claims are poorly supported and they are very expensive. Some are downright unsuitable. Save your money!

There are many compound feeds now sold especially for laminitis sufferers. I don't know what's going on here but most contain the very things we all agree are bad - i.e. non-structural carbohydrates - among other unsuitable ingredients. You may well be justified in asking: "who's paying whom?". Save your money!

The commercial world can be merciless.

Visit: www.naturalfeeding.co.uk/horsesnf.htm for impartial, independent and non-commercial Natural Feeding information and Holistic Feeding advice.

Laminitis is a distressing and painful condition.

If not resolved, it may necessitate euthanasia.

Alternative medicine has much to offer, often helping to control the situation where conventional medicine cannot. Such an approach includes holistic and integrated application of acupuncture, homeopathy, herbs and diet.

The author is independent of commercial interest or sponsorship and cannot endorse any products or advertising material attached to this lens.

For more information, visit AVMC's information website (over 600 pages).

Chris Day - holistic vet - runs the Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre in Oxfordshire (AVMC) in Oxfordshire, UK.

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