A very useful warning from our friends The British Horse Society
Vets are reporting that they are seeing a sharp increase in cases of laminitis.
With the majority of the UK experiencing rain and periods of sunshine, this creates the perfect conditions for rapid grass growth.
Laminitis is an extremely painful condition and can cause permanent damage to the hooves. It affects structures called sensitive lamellae that are located inside the horse’s hoof. The sensitive lamellae form a strong bond to hold the pedal bone in place within the hoof.
Laminitis causes the sensitive lamellae to stretch, weaken and become damaged which can cause the pedal bone to move within the hoof. In extreme cases the pedal bone can even penetrate through the sole of the hoof which is excruciatingly painful. In such cases, euthanasia is likely to be the only treatment option to end the horse’s suffering.
Horses carrying excess weight or have a health condition such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) are at an increased risk of laminitis so grazing may have to be restricted.
Watch out for the subtle signs as shown below and if you have any concerns contact us on 01977652280.
For further advice, including prevention visit: https://www.bhs.org.uk/…/horse-health-and…/laminitis
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