How to treat laminitis in a horse? Causes, prevention and effective treatments
If you have a horse, you've certainly heard of ochwat - and not at all without reason. This is one of the most serious hoof conditions that can end really badly if you don't react in time. Ophthalmia is inflammation of the hoof material, the tissue that connects the hoof cup to the hoof bone. When the disease progresses, the hoof becomes hot, the horse has difficulty moving and is clearly in pain. In the worst cases, hoofbone rotation occurs - and that's when things get really serious.
You know the characteristic posture when the horse shifts its weight to its hind legs and struggles to move? It is likely to be ochwat. It is estimated that up to 10% of horses struggle with this disease at least once in their lives, and if your horse has metabolic problems, the risk increases up to 20%. Therefore, it is very important that you know how to help him.
Where does laminitis come from? Most common causes
1. Poor diet - enemy number one
Horses are not adapted to a diet rich in sugars and starches, but unfortunately they often get feeds that contain too much of them. Excessive oats, concentrated feeds or fresh, juicy grass full of fructans can quickly upset the sugar balance and lead to laminitis.
What to do? Make sure your horse gets a diet rich in fiber and the amount of sugars is under strict control. Gradually change feeds to avoid sudden spikes in insulin levels.
2. Endocrine and metabolic disorders
Some horses are more prone to laminitis due to metabolic problems, such as equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) or Cushing's disease (PPID). If your horse is insulin resistant, even a small amount of sugar can cause serious complications in your horse.
How to deal with it? Regularly test insulin levels and consult your vet about your diet. If a horse is prone to metabolic disorders, it is better to prevent than to fight the consequences later on.
3. Injuries and strains to one limb
Has your horse ever had an injury to one leg? If so, there is a risk that he was relieving her by overburdening the other one - and this could lead to laminitis. Prolonged asymmetric hoof stress is a simple path to problems.
What to do? Watch the horse's movement carefully and react to any irregularities. Check hooves regularly at the farrier, and if you see worrisome symptoms, consult a veterinarian.
4. Mechanical overloads
Too much training on hard ground? Ill-fitting horseshoes? These factors can also lead to laminitis. Excessive hoof stress causes the hoof material to begin to break down, and this is a simple path to pain and lameness.
How to prevent it? Match the training to the capabilities of your horse, and the ground in the place where he trains should be sufficiently soft and cushioning. And of course, a regular visit to the farrier is a must.
How to recognize laminitis? Symptoms that should worry you
If your horse suddenly begins to limp, moves with marked difficulty and shifts weight to the hind legs, this is an alarm signal. Also check if his hooves are hot, this is a classic sign of inflammation.
Other worrisome symptoms include an elevated body temperature, visibly pulsating blood vessels around the hoof's coronet, and reluctance to move - the horse acts as if every step causes it pain. You may also notice changes in the structure of the hoof, such as the appearance of rings on the hoof cup or delamination of the hoof horn. In extreme cases, there is rotation of the hoofbone, which is visible on the X-ray. If you notice these symptoms, don't delay and react immediately.
How to prevent laminitis? Some simple rules
To reduce the risk of laminitis, first of all, you need to take care of a proper diet - less sugars and starches, more fiber, so as not to overload the horse's body. It's also a good idea to support his digestive system with probiotics, such as TRM Synbiovit, which help maintain healthy intestinal microflora. Regular visits to the vet and farrier are essential - hoof checks and preventive examinations can catch problems at an early stage. Well, and movement - standing in a box for a long time is not good for health, so the horse should be able to move freely every day on a suitable surface.
What to do when a horse gets sick? Step by step treatment of laminitis
1. Quick response
You must act immediately. Move the horse to soft ground and limit its movement - the less strain on the diseased hooves, the better.Start cooling as soon as possible, preferably with cold water or ice to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Don't wait until the situation worsens - contact your vet and farrier. They are the ones who will best assess the horse's condition and decide on further treatment.
2. Pharmacological treatment
The vet may prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve the horse and stop the development of laminitis. If the problem is due to metabolic disorders, insulin-regulating drugs may be necessary. In case of infection, antibiotic therapy will be necessary. Each horse requires an individual approach, so you must act according to the recommendations of the specialist and not use drugs on their own.
3. Hoof correction and orthopedic support
Regular work with a farrier is very important. Specialized hoof correction may be needed, and in some cases, orthopedic horseshoes to relieve pressure on the affected areas. You must remember that recovery takes time - don't rush your return to activity. Gradually increase the horse's movement, but always under the supervision of a veterinarian and farrier to avoid relapses.
Ophthalmia is not a sentence, but it is necessary to act quickly
If your horse is limping, has hot hooves and is clearly in pain, don't wait - put him on soft ground, cool his hooves and call the vet and farrier right away. The laminitis is not something that will pass on its own. Proper nutrition, regular hoof correction, and quick response at the first symptoms can save your horse from serious consequences. Prevention is better than cure, but if a problem arises, it is essential to act right away.