There’s no ‘safe season’ when it comes to laminitis. This condition can occur at any time of the year – not just in spring. It's crucial to call a vet as soon as laminitis is suspected because it can cause severe pain and permanent hoof damage.
Advice specific to donkeys is available from The Donkey Sanctuary.
The above image shows the inside structure of a healthy hoof (left) and a laminitic hoof (right).
- Cannon bone
- Long pastern
- Short pastern
- Dropped pedal bone (unhealthy)
- Pedal bone (Healthy)
- Hoof wall
- Navicular bone
- Digital Cushion
- Sole of hoof
- Laminae
What is laminitis?
Laminitis affects tissue called sensitive laminae which are found in the horse’s hoof. The sensitive laminae act like velcro to form a strong bond to support the pedal bone within the hoof. Laminitis causes the sensitive laminae to stretch, weaken and become damaged which can cause the pedal bone to move within the hoof (think of a zip being un-done).
In extreme cases, the pedal bone can rotate and/or drop through the sole of the hoof which is very painful. In cases like this, euthanasia is likely to be the only treatment option to end the horse’s suffering.
What is laminitis in horses?
Laminitis is a very painful condition that affects the laminae in the horse's hoof. These tissues act like Velcro, forming a strong bond to support the pedal bone within the hoof. Laminitis causes these tissues to stretch, weaken and become damaged, which can cause the pedal bone to move within the hoof. In severe cases, the pedal bone can rotate or drop through the sole of the hoof, which is extremely painful and often requires euthanasia to end the horse's suffering.
What causes laminitis in horses?
Any horse or pony can get laminitis, but some factors can make your horse more susceptible than others.
Excess weight gain can more than double the risk of your horse developing laminitis1. Monitoring your horse's weight by fat scoring can help manage this risk.
Identifying the cause of laminitis with your vet is crucial for treatment and management.
Hormonal Laminitis
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Up to 90% of laminitis cases are linked to underlying hormonal disorders3 which can be challenging to manage.
Conditions like Equine Cushing’s Disease known as Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) and Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) are associated with laminitis. These conditions can lead to high insulin levels in the bloodstream, which can cause laminitis, the reason this happens isn’t yet fully understood.
The best way to prevent laminitis is through management of these conditions, which focuses on weight loss of overweight horses. If your horse has Cushing's Disease/PPID or EMS, corticosteroids might increase the risk of laminitis, although there's no conclusive evidence of this in healthy horses4. Your vet can advise on hormonal testing and any potential risks.
Inflammatory Laminitis
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Feeding your horse large amounts of concentrates in one go can overload their digestive system, causing undigested sugar and starch to reach the hindgut, which breaks down rapidly. This process can damage the gut and release toxins into the bloodstream, potentially affecting the blood supply to the laminae and increasing the risk of laminitis.
Speak to your vet or a nutritionist for dietary advice.
Other causes of inflammatory laminitis include severe colic, lung inflammation5 and retained placenta in mares after foaling.
Mechanical issues
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This type of laminitis is mainly caused by:
Compensatory/abnormal weight bearing: This type of laminitis occurs when a horse has an injury or condition that prevents them from putting weight on one leg, resulting in additional weight placed on their opposite leg.
Overworking: Fast or prolonged work on hard ground6
Improper hoof care: Long toes, improper shoeing or trimming can also be causes of mechanical laminitis6.
Symptoms of laminitis in horses: How to identify the signs
Laminitis can develop quickly, and subtle symptoms are often missed until the condition becomes severe. By learning what to look for, you can take prompt action and give your horse the best chance of recovery.
Three stages of laminitis
- Subclinical laminitis: Small changes within the hoof begin, but the horse shows no or very subtle signs.
- Acute laminitis: The first signs of pain and lameness appear. These signs can be subtle and mistaken for other issues. Knowing your horse's behaviour helps you to spot these signs early and take action.
- Chronic laminitis: Painful changes to the hoof structures are visible on X-rays. Horses with chronic laminitis may show visible changes on the outside of the hoof, though these aren’t always painful. These horses are at high risk of future laminitis episodes.
Common subtle signs of laminitis
Watch out for any subtle signs of laminitis — the earlier an episode is noticed, the greater the chance of aiding recovery.[KT1]
Laminitis can present in a variety of ways, and the signs aren't always obvious at first. These are the most common symptoms of laminitis in horses to keep an eye out for:
· Reluctance to turn
· A shortened stride or stiffened gait
· Shifting weight from foot to foot
· Being careful on hard or stony ground/preferring to walk on soft ground
· Change in behaviour or temperament
· Reluctant to pick up their feet
· Abnormal heat at the hoof wall or coronet
· A strong, increased digital pulse.
Laminitic Stance
The photo below shows what’s known as the laminitic stance, where the horse rocks back on their hind legs to take the weight off their front feet. This has been found to occur in less than half of diagnosed laminitis cases5.
Photo credit: The Royal Veterinary College
Visible signs of laminitis in the hooves
Changes to the shape and angle of the hoof
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Photo credit: Dr Kieran O'Brien MA MVB PhD MRCVS
Rings on the outer hoof wall that are wider at the heel and narrower at the toe
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Photo credit: Dr Kieran O'Brien MA MVB PhD MRCVS
A groove/indent just above the coronet band, highlighted on the image by the blue line
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Photo credit: Dr Kieran O'Brien MA MVB PhD MRCVS
Bruising on the sole of the foot, usually just in front of the frog
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Photo credit: Dr Kieran O'Brien MA MVB PhD MRCVS
What should I do if I suspect my horse has laminitis?
Call your vet immediately — laminitis is always an emergency.
Don’t force your horse to walk if they’re reluctant, as this can cause more damage. If the horse can walk, move them to a stable or shelter. If not, make them comfortable where they are and restrict their movement and access to grass. If stabled, provide a deep bed, ideally shavings, for hoof support and wait for your vet's advice.
How is laminitis diagnosed in horses?
Laminitis is diagnosed through a combination of clinical examination and, in many cases, diagnostic imaging.
A vet will assess your horse’s posture, gait and response to hoof pressure, and may detect signs such as a bounding digital pulse or heat in the hooves.
To confirm the diagnosis and evaluate the severity, X-rays are often used to check for changes inside the hoof, such as rotation or sinking of the pedal bone.
Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and long-term management.
How to treat laminitis in horses
Prompt treatment is vital when dealing with laminitis. Whether the condition is in its early stages or has become chronic, a tailored, vet-led treatment plan gives your horse the best chance of recovery and long-term comfort.
Treatment focuses on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, supporting the hoof structure and managing any underlying conditions that may have contributed to the episode.
Close collaboration between your vet and farrier is essential, especially in more advanced or recurring cases.
Acute laminitis treatment
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Your vet may prescribe painkillers and recommend box rest with a deep bed of shavings. The farrier may need to trim the hooves to relieve pressure and fit sole or frog supports.
Chronic laminitis treatment
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Your vet will work closely with your farrier for remedial farriery to relieve pressure, stabilise foot balance and rehabilitate the foot. Pain management and alternative treatments may be suggested. In severe cases, euthanasia may be recommended to prevent further suffering.
References
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- Pollard, D., et al (2018). Incidence and clinical signs of owner-reported equine laminitis in a cohort of horses and ponies in Great Britain. Equine Veterinary Journal. 51(5), p. 587–594.
- Pollard, D., et al (2020). Factors associated with euthanasia in horses and ponies enrolled in a laminitis cohort study in Great Britain. Preventive veterinary medicine 174: 104833.
- Karikoski NP, et al (2011). The prevalence of endocrinopathic laminitis among horses presented for laminitis at a first-opinion/referral equine hospital Domestic Animal Endocrinology. 41(3), p. 111–7.
- Mcgowan, C, M. et al (2016). No Evidence That Therapeutic Systemic Corticosteroid Administration is Associated With Laminitis in Adult Horses Without Underlying Endocrine or Severe Systemic Disease. Veterinary evidence. 1(1).
- Stewart, A. J, et al (2009). Indices of inflammation in the lung and liver in the early stages of the black walnut extract model of equine laminitis. Veterinary immunology and immunopathology, 129(3-4), 254–260.
- Evans. J. (2019) Laminitis – A year round problem.
- Wylie CE, et al (2016). Decision-tree analysis of clinical data to aid diagnostic reasoning for equine laminitis: a cross-sectional study. Vet Record. 178(17): 420.
- Pollard, D. et al (2019). Identification of modifiable factors associated with owner-reported equine laminitis in Britain using a web-based cohort study approach. BMC veterinary research, 15(1), p.59.
