Laminitis is a painful and debilitating inflammatory condition of the hoof that affects horses and ponies worldwide, causing chronic pain and lameness and remaining a leading cause of equine euthanasia.
Laminitis causes severe, acute pain — affected horses and ponies typically stand with weight shifted back, are reluctant to move, and show visible distress. Even after the acute phase, chronic laminitis causes ongoing discomfort with every step. The condition is frequently recurrent, meaning horses may experience repeated episodes of severe pain across their lifetime. Poor management — overfeeding on rich pasture, inadequate farriery, or delayed veterinary attention — is a significant welfare concern. Structural damage from severe episodes may be permanent, leading to chronic lameness that substantially reduces quality of life even with optimal management. Prevention through diet management and early recognition of risk factors is far preferable to treatment.