Autumn Laminitis
As most of us know, laminitis is a potentially life threatening condition which can affect all types of horses and ponies. Changes that happen in the blood chemistry of the foot can result in restricted blood flow to the laminae (the tiny interlocking structures which support the foot within the hoof capsule). Laminitis usually involves the two front feet, but any number of feet, including the back ones can be affected.
In this article we will look at ways you can help a laminitic horse and how simple precautions can save your horse from laminitic pain and suffering.
Diagnosis
Only a vet can diagnose laminitis, so if your horse or pony begins to show certain signs you should suspect a problem and act immediately by calling your vet. Many laminitic horses will adopt a characteristic stance (associated with laminitis), with their forelegs stretched forwards and their weight shifted to their heels to relieve the pressure on their toes. In some cases the horse may lay flat on its side to take the weight of its feet.
When standing the horse may be seen to shift its weight from one foot to another and may be reluctant to move or may move with short 'pottery' strides. The sole of the foot is sensitive to pressure and a strong digital pulse can be felt, in some cases the feet may also feel warm, however this is not always reliable as the feet tend to fluctuate in temperature throughout the day.
Time of year
Although as horse owners we tend to think about laminitis being more likely to occur during the spring months, in fact it can occur at any time of the year, and often tends to cause problems during the early autumn months and during frosty weather. Research has shown that nutritionally induced laminitis can be caused by an excess of soluble carbohydrates (sugars and starches) from cereal based molassed feeds, or from the spring or autumn flush of grass. At these times grass is particularly high in fructan (a type of soluble carbohydrate) which is thought to initiate the onset of laminitis.
If eaten by the horse in greater quantities than it is used to, soluble carbohydrates may not be fully digested in the small intestine. These undigested carbohydrates can then cause problems in the hind gut. where specific bacteria multiply as they feed on the starch, producing lactic acid as a by-product. This then irritates the lining of the gut and produces an acidic environment, causes other 'friendly' bacteria to die and release toxins into the bloodstream.
Good grass and bad grass
Traditional meadow pastures are more suitable for laminitis-prone horses as they are likely to be lower in fructans than reseeded pastures. Grass stores higher levels of fructans in stems than in leaves and levels increase during daylight. When the grass is using a lot of energy for rapid growth, sugar and fructans will be used up, so the amount stored will decrease, recent research indicates that 'stressed' grass (i.e: during frost or grass that is over-grazed) tends to contain much higher levels of fructans as the growth is reduced.
Autumn is traditionally the time of year when horses that have been living out over the summer months are stabled again and usually receive concentrate diets in preparation for the colder months ahead. This sudden change in diet and the introduction of high starch diets can also trigger laminitis.
As a horse owner what can be done to lower the risk of diet related laminitis?
Overweight horses and ponies tend to be more prone to laminitis so it is vital to keep your horse or pony in 'trim' condition, if necessary by reducing dietary intake. Changing to a low calorie, high fibre, low starch, low sugar diet can help to reduce calorie intake, although all changes to the diet should be made gradually. However it is very important not to starve an overweight animal as this can lead to serious problems, namely hyperlipaemia when the horse's fat supplies are mobilised too quickly resulting in excess fat in the blood.
Prevention is better than cure in this instance, by keeping a close eye on your horse's condition there should be no excuse for an animal becoming overweight. As a guide you should be able to feel your horse's ribs when you run your hand lightly across the ribcage, but not be able to see them and the horse should not have fat deposits, particularly on the crest.
What's going into your horse?
Restrict grazing either by turning out for less time, using a grazing muzzle or using sheep to eat excess grass and take particular care during times when fructan levels will be at their highest namely during the spring and autumn and when there has been a frost followed by sunny weather. Grass is safest at night when fructan levels will be lower and if you do turn out it is best to do so as late as possible in the evening and bring your horse in first thing in the morning. Remember to feed according to the amount of work your horse is doing and do not be tempted to feed extra in anticipation of the work to be done.
Unless your horse is working particularly hard a high fibre, low starch, low sugar diet will provide most horses with sufficient energy.
Immediate action
If you suspect that your horse or pony is laminitic it must be treated as an emergency and the vet called immediately. If the horse is able to walk, a stable with a thick bed of shavings or similar will help to ease the pressure on the feet, however if the horse is reluctant to move it is best to wait for your vet to arrive, although on no account should the horse be allowed access to grass.
Feeding time
A laminitic horse or pony on box rest needs a diet that will support their recovery rather than make matters worse and for this reason cereal mixes or straights should be avoided. For a horse or pony on box rest hay or hay and oat straw mixed together should form the basis of the diet, or alternatively a high fibre, low sugar, low starch feed that has been specially designed for laminitics can be used to replace part of the hay ration and to provide essential vitamins and minerals. However it is important to look for a feed that is very high in fibre and that is also unmolassed to help keep sugar levels to a minimum and one that can provide the vitamins and minerals required. A feed that contains a probiotic is useful as this will help to keep the digestive system healthy by providing 'good" bacteria which may otherwise be compromised at times of stress.
Tips to elevate boredom
Trying to avoid boredom on box rest is difficult for the horse owner, by splitting the daily ration into as many small meals as possible will help to keep the horse interested and a regular supply of fibre will also help to keep the digestive system healthy and functioning correctly. It is vital that the horse does not go for longer than eight hours without food so this may mean giving the largest meal late in the evening to see the horse through the night.
Other tips to help avoid boredom are to use a small holed haynet or to use two haynets (one inside the other) to make hay last longer. Feed specially formulated feed for laminitics that contains plenty of long fibre (alfalfa and chaff, both of which are low in fructans), this will take longer to chew, it will add variety to the diet and can be particularly useful if other
Digestion
Gastric Ulcers
Health
Intolerance & Allergies
Laminitis
Winter Feeding
