Laminitis in Horses – An Inflammation of the Hoof Laminae
Laminitis in horses describes an inflammation of the hoof laminae. Due to a circulatory disorder of the lamellar tissues in the horse's hoof, fluid leaks from the vessels, which can cause the lamellar tissues to detach from the horny laminae. Consequences of laminitis can be a sinking of the coffin bone as well as a rotation of the coffin joint. Worst-case scenarios include the coffin bone breaking through the sole or "hoof sloughing" (losing the entire hoof capsule).
★ Laminitis is a very serious and extremely painful condition for horses, requiring immediate veterinary treatment. With timely diagnosis and treatment, as well as attentive aftercare, laminitis can usually be managed well. Unfortunately, laminitis is not completely curable.
Laminitis – A Year-Round Risk for Horses
Laminitis in horses poses a year-round risk. Even if temperature fluctuations of up to 20 degrees and sometimes icy temperatures prevailed in large parts of Germany and Austria - the hometown of our Steinkraft team - last month, spring is now slowly but surely approaching. Finally!!! Our horses probably can't wait for the grazing season to begin and for the gates to be opened to the lush green pastures. Especially after the long winter break, during which our four-legged friends' diet probably consisted mainly of hay, straw, and some concentrated feed, the pasture gate should not be opened carelessly. Spring grass harbors "ghosts" that appear especially during the frosty evenings and mornings of spring: glucose & starch.
Causes of Laminitis
For a long time, it was assumed that a diet too rich in protein was responsible for the development of laminitis and so-called laminitic episodes. However, newer findings refute this assumption and expose an excess of glucose and starch as the true culprits and possible triggers for laminitis. In addition to pasture grass, these "easily digestible carbohydrates" are also found in oats, corn, barley, carrots, apples, etc. (to name just a few examples) – they not only taste excellent to our horses but are also considered quick and reliable energy sources. In order not to overburden the digestive tract and metabolism of our horses and to avoid opening the door to certain diseases, such glucose- and starch-containing foods – which clearly include the lush green of spring pastures – should be consumed in moderation.
★ Pasture grass carries a relatively high risk for the development of laminitis.
Therefore: Pay attention when grazing (and starting to graze), all year round!
Don't be fooled by the still rather short grass, especially in spring. The idea that spring grass is less nutritious and therefore less dangerous for laminitis patients is a misconception.
Why is Spring Grass So Dangerous for Laminitic Horses?
But how can this be explained? Doesn't it seem more logical that the long, green, full-blown summer grass far surpasses the relatively short spring grass in nutrients? In fact, exactly the opposite is true!
It's been a while, but we all probably learned about photosynthesis in biology class during our school years. I don't know about you, but I haven't retained the details of the photosynthesis process, known as the most significant process on Earth. Nevertheless, it's worth taking a closer look at the nature of pastures before the grazing season begins and understanding what actually happens with pasture grass in spring. In the interplay of light, water, and CO2, plants produce and release energy-rich organic substances. These substances include glucose and starch, which are produced by the plant and serve its growth. In spring, when it can still get quite cold in the late evening and early morning hours, the plant's nutrient processing stops, and it stores the excess reserves of sugar and starch, practically for the duration of a night, in the carbohydrate stores of its stems.
In the cooler hours of the day, the grass is therefore particularly rich in glucose and starch, and their concentration is highest in the plant's stems. If our horses are now exposed to this carbohydrate surplus after a long winter break, it can happen that their digestive tract and metabolism are overwhelmed by this highly concentrated sugar cocktail. It is not uncommon for some horses to develop laminitis or suffer laminitic episodes under these circumstances.
★ Cool-season grasses stop growing when temperatures drop and store an excess of glucose and starch in their stems. Especially in the spring, dewy morning hours, the (pasture) table is therefore richly set with easily digestible carbohydrates, which, when highly concentrated and consumed in excess, can severely overwhelm both the horse's digestive tract and metabolism, thereby promoting or even causing laminitis.
Is Laminitis in Horses Curable?
Even if laminitis, once it has occurred, is not completely curable, significant long-term improvements can be achieved with a diet tailored to the individual needs of the affected horse. Since every diet always means a certain degree of sacrifice, it should be accompanied by dietary supplements from the outset. In this way, a nutritional vital substance deficiency can be avoided, and vitality and well-being are maintained. Furthermore, grazing muzzles can be a useful option throughout the grazing season to reduce the amount of grass ingested per grazing period. Similar to hay nets, they are also often used for laminitis patients, as they can have a positive effect on the horse's weight in addition to diet regulation. Of course, any disease-related dietary change should be approved by a specialist.
★ A diet tailored to the needs of the laminitic patient can significantly and positively influence the course of the disease. With dietary supplements, a deficiency of vital substances is avoided, and the horse's well-being is maintained. With the use of grazing muzzles and hay nets, food intake can also be regulated, and weight reduction achieved. It is also worthwhile, for slow habituation during grazing, to initially fence off smaller parts of the pasture and let them graze there before adding a new, lusher piece of pasture.
Zeolite as a Natural Prevention for Laminitis in Horses
Pure zeolite powder and pellets from Steinkraft can optimally support the preparation for the warm season and the associated grazing season. Especially for older horses, the addition of pure zeolite also facilitates the coat change, in addition to optimizing metabolic processes and strengthening the immune system. Information on dosage and feeding instructions can be found directly on the product packaging. The Steinkraft team is, of course, available to answer any questions you may have.
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Elisa Pfeiffer
STEINKRAFT Author | Natural Equestrian Talent | Bristol, UK
Elisa grew up on her father Andreas's farm in Schleswig-Holstein – surrounded by horses, open stables, and everything that goes with it. What others had to learn laboriously came naturally to her: riding. Today she lives in Bristol, but her connection to horses and the experiences from the stable life of her childhood and youth flow directly into her articles.
