LAMINITIS


LAMINITIC HORSE AND PONY In this issue Cavalor Equine Nutritionist, Fien Demeyere


WHATTOLOOK FOR IN THE


1. WHATARE THE TYPICAL SIGNS OF LAMINITIS?


providesadviceoncaring forthe laminitic horse and pony. If,despiteall preventivemeasures,the horse


When horsessuffer from laminitis the main symptom is painful hooves. This causes difficultiesinturning, and manyshowatypical laminitic stanceleaning back on to their hind legs and having ashort and painful walk. The inflammation also causesincreased hoof


temperatureand horses with laminitis aremore prone to whiteline disease and blisters.


2. WHATLIFESTYLE SHOULD BE


ADOPTED FOR THE LAMINITIC? The mostimportant waytoprevent laminitis is to monitor the horse’sfeed, especially for fructans, the sugarsfound in grasses. Along with fructans, avoid sugar and starch (max


1g/kgbody weight per meal forIDhorsesand max 1.5g –2,5 /kgbody weight per meal forhealthy horses) and excess protein. Sensitivehorsesneed to be fedmostoftheir energy in the form of fibre and fats.Dry hay, beet pulp,lucerne,and oils can be used here. Limit the amountsofsugar and starch in the feed ration. In addition to changesto feeding, it is also important that the horse’sdigestive systemand metabolism is supported and the production of certain hormonesbekept in balance. Horsesprone to laminitis should not be turned


out to pastureabruptly or excessively.Horsesthat have had laminitis in the pastshouldnot be turned out in pastures that aretoo rich, as this often leads to weight gain. However even barren pastures can lead to problems, so alwayspay attention to the fructancontent of the grasswhen choosing the right time to turn out. Grassishighest in fructans in the afternoons and during timeswhen nightsare cold and days aresunny(Spring and Autumn).


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develops laminitis, it is important to treatthe pain as quickly as possible,tostimulatethe lymphatic systemand the blood circulation in the foot and to stopthe inflammatory reaction from spreading. Makethe horse as comfortable as possible by


providing asoft surfaceinits box, forexample a thick layerofsawdustorstraw.You canalso provide temporary relief by cooling the horse’sfeet with cold water. As soon as theyare comfortable enough to walk, theyshould move as much as possible. Extrahoof care is also recommended. Customised


shoesand products forexternal application canalso provide relief and acceleratethe recovery of the hoof. Regular visitsfromthe farrier arealso important.


3. HOW SHOULD FEEDING


AND DIET BE ADAPTED? Useconcentrates that arelow in sugar and starch. Cavalor FiberForce is high in fiber and contains only 3% starch and 5% sugar,which makesit ideal forhorsesthat have metabolic issues. Is your horse toofat and do youwant him to


lose weight?Cavalor Silhouetteisalso lowinsugar and starch but has ahigher amount of protein. It is specially designed forhorsestolose weight safely and encourageslossoffat but no lossofmuscle. Horsesthat areprone to laminitis needa


totalapproach wherefeeding, management and movement areconsidered. Be careful withpasturethat is rich in fructans


and protein when your horse is prone to laminitis. Especially on cold and sunnydays, the amount of fructans in grasscan be quitehigh. Roughage is the main part of your horse’sdiet. Usedry and fibrous haythat is lowinsugar. Cavalor LaminAid is an oral supplement and speeds up the circulation and supports


the metabolism and digestion management of sensitivehoovesand metabolic problems whilst protecting the cells againstfreeradicals. The oils in Cavalor LaminAid arealso attributed with antioxidant propertiestoinhibit the production of free radicals and promotetissue repair in the hoof.


4. IS IT ACONDITION THAT


COMES ON IN OLD AGE? Laminitis is one of the diseasesofthe EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome). Ahorse with EMS is alwaysmoreprone to laminits.


PPID (Cushings), which is also part of EMS is a disease we mainly see in older horsesand ponies. Horseswith PPID aremoreprone to laminitis.


5. ARE OBESE HORSES AND PONIES


MORE PRONE TO LAMINITIS? Horsesthatare overweight or have Equine Metabolic Syndrome,haveabnormal fatmetabolism which further contributes to changesinhormone production including insulin as well as alterations in immune function. This also makes them moreprone to laminitis.


6. SHOULD EXERCISE


BE CARRIEDOUT? If theyare comfortableenough to walk, they should move as much as possible.This will be beneficial forthe bloodcirculation towards thehoof,aswellasfor the weight loss..


ForfurtherinformationcontactCavalor DirectFREEon(0800)1337483or visitwww.cavalordirect.co.uk


APRIL/MAY2021For thelatestnewsvisitwww.centralhorsenews.co.uk


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