Research sheds new light on laminitis risk factors

Laminitis manifests in the foot and results in varying degrees of pain, lameness and debilitation. There are several causes of laminitis and currently these are divided into three main categories: sepsis/systemic inflammatory conditions, endocrine/metabolic disturbances, which includes pasture associated laminitis, and mechanical overload. Being able to identify animals at increased risk of laminitis, as well as the potential risk factors, is obviously key to reducing the incidence of the condition.

Two new studies have been conducted in collaboration with the WALTHAM® Equine Studies Group. The first evaluated the laminitis risk factors in a group of Danish horses and ponies.1 It confirmed that Cold-blooded type animals <149 cm, such as certain native ponies, as well as those being kept on high quality pasture, were at an increased risk of developing laminitis for the first time. It also highlighted the important role that a change in grass intake, in terms of both type and amount, may play at any time of the year not only the spring as commonly thought.