Laminitis is one of the most painful and debilitating conditions in horses and ponies. Prevention through dietary management and early intervention dramatically improve welfare outcomes.
Acute laminitis causes severe pain characterised by heat in the hooves, a bounding digital pulse and a characteristic laminitic stance as horses shift weight off the painful forefeet. The pain of active laminitis is among the most severe experienced by horses and can persist for days to weeks. Chronic laminitis following pedal bone rotation causes permanent alteration of normal hoof structure and ongoing mechanical pain with every step. Horses and ponies with uncontrolled endocrine disease face recurrent laminitis episodes throughout their lives unless the underlying condition is managed. Prevention through dietary restriction, appropriate exercise management and endocrine disease monitoring provides the most welfare-positive outcome.