Laminitis is a devastating, often recurrent hoof condition in horses that causes severe pain and frequently leads to euthanasia, making prevention the highest welfare priority.
Laminitis causes intense, debilitating pain that is among the most severe welfare emergencies in equine veterinary practice. Prevention through dietary management, appropriate exercise, and monitoring of metabolic risk factors is far preferable to treatment of established disease. Horses on restricted grazing, particularly during spring and autumn when grass sugar content peaks, require careful management. Veterinary collaboration with an experienced farrier is essential for hoof rehabilitation after acute episodes.