Laminitis is a painful inflammatory condition of the horse foot requiring prompt recognition, and an increased digital pulse is one of the earliest warning signs.
Laminitis is one of the most painful conditions affecting horses and a leading cause of euthanasia in severe cases. Even mild episodes involve acute foot pain that makes every step an ordeal. Horses with chronic laminitis may suffer through repeated cycles of pain, lameness, and restricted movement. The emotional distress of horses confined during treatment adds another welfare dimension. Early detection through daily monitoring of digital pulses can allow intervention before severe tissue damage occurs. Owners and caretakers who know how to assess digital pulse can potentially detect changes 24 to 48 hours before clinical lameness develops, allowing much earlier treatment.