Acute laminitis is one of the most painful and welfare-critical emergencies in equine medicine, requiring immediate intervention to prevent permanent hoof damage.
Acute laminitis is among the most painful conditions horses experience. The inflammation within the rigid hoof capsule creates intense, unrelenting pressure pain. Horses in laminitic crisis often cannot bear to stand. Immediate veterinary care is essential — every hour without treatment increases the risk of pedal bone rotation and permanent disability. Treatment includes pain management (NSAIDs), therapeutic shoeing, dietary restriction, and treatment of any underlying cause. Horses that develop chronic laminitis or founder require lifelong management, including careful diet, regular farriery, and pain monitoring. Quality of life assessment should be ongoing, with euthanasia considered when pain cannot be controlled.