Laminitis is top of the list of conditions we owners do not want our horses to suffer from. So, we spoke to Nicola Menzies- Gow, Professor of Equine Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College to find out more about the latest thinking on Laminitis and what we can do to minimise the risk to our horses.
What do we know about Laminitis?
Recent RVC research into Equine Laminitis shows it is now considered to be a clinical syndrome associated with systemic disease, meaning it affects the whole body not just the hoof laminae.
In around 90% of cases the horse will have endocrinopathic laminitis or hyperinsulinaemia-associated laminitis (HAL). The underlying root of the cause of these types of laminitis is related to abnormal insulin levels in the blood. The reason for the high insulin levels is connected to the occurrence of Cushing’s (PPID) and or Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS).
The other types of laminitis are either related to sepsis, where the horse is very ill and the underlying condition triggers laminitis in the feet, or supporting limb laminitis which is brought on by too much weight being carried by one foot where the tissues become starved of oxygen.
If we focus on the main bulk of laminitis cases the endocrine system of the horse is a major factor in the onset of laminitis. Both EMS and Cushing’s (PPID) can affect the concentrations of insulin in the body, a hormone produced by the pancreas whose normal role is to bring sugar levels down after a meal.
The main effect of EMS is the production of insulin above normal levels. The body then produces even more insulin as the horse eats high starch food which in turn heightens the levels. It is this inability to balance insulin production which creates the perfect storm for laminitis to develop.
Put simply, Cushing’s Disease causes the Pituitary Gland to lose its off switch and therefore too much hormone is produced. Some of these hormones will antagonise or counteract the effect of insulin in balancing sugar levels – this results in the body producing more insulin. It is this cascade effect which triggers the laminitis.
Many horses are not diagnosed with Cushing’s until later in life. However, it seems as if the risk of developing laminitis in animals with Cushing’s could be closely connected to undiagnosed EMS and research is continuing into this link.
How can we manage these underlying hormone issues?
The main ways to manage these conditions are with medication and dietary control. With EMS and Cushing’s some horses can be overweight, others underweight so you really must put together a plan based on each individual horse dependent on their needs.
It basically comes down to managing the risk of laminitis occurring, but the threat will always be there in horses with these conditions.
Following any prescription of medication from your vet, it’s important to also look at your horse’s diet. The single most important thing you can do is ensure a fibre-based diet is what you feed. Starch and cereals are basically sugar and once eaten immediately send insulin levels up.
Fibre based products such as Fibre-Beet or Speedi-Beet have low levels of starch and sugar and can be combined with long fibre such as (soaked) hay with a good quality low-sugar balancer to be fed as a balanced diet. If a horse is underweight, oil-based additional calories should be added in the form of liquid oil or cooked linseed.
Spring and Autumn - key risk management times
In addition to a fibre first based diet, managing the intake of grass for your horse or pony at risk of laminitis is crucial. Both Spring and Autumn can be difficult times when your management skills can be tested.
In addition to reducing the hours of turnout and size of grazing area, keep an eye on the areas your horse or pony is not nibbling away at. It is quite telling to see how much grass grows in these areas – bear in mind the reason why it isn’t that long in the field is because it has already been eaten shoot by shoot and blade by blade by your horse at a time when sugar content is highest.
By implementing your individual management regime with support from your vet and/or a nutritionist you can reduce the risks of laminitis. Contact the team here at British Horse Feeds for more information and advice on 01765 680300.
