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Equine Obesity Connected To Increased Chance For Laminitis

Obesity in domesticated horses is a growing problem, Dr. Shannon Pratt-Phillips, and equine nutritionist at North Carolina State University, told the American Farriers Journal last week. One primary concern is that obesity can increase a horse's chance of developing laminitis, the potentially deadly inflammation of sensitive layers of tissue (laminae) inside the hoof.

Pratt-Phillips explains that fatty tissue is an inflammatory organ, which produces compounds that lead to inflammation in multiple different parts of the body. Those compounds can negatively affect the vasculature within the laminae, increasing the possibility for laminitis.

In addition, excess weight can have a negative effect on the horse's overall hoof health.

“Proper blood circulation is partly attributed to the compression and expansion of the digital cushion within the hoof,” Pratt-Phillips writes. “If a horse is carrying excess weight, the digital cushion's function may be compromised, resulting in poor blood circulation and laminitis.”

Of course, more weight can also cause strain on the hoof wall as it expands to absorb the concussion of a horse's movement.

“Over time, obesity may disrupt the integrity of the hoof wall, resulting in cracking or crumbling hooves,” wrote Pratt-Phillips.

Read more at the American Farriers Journal.

The post Equine Obesity Connected To Increased Chance For Laminitis appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Elevate Heels To Alleviate Laminitic Pain

Very few equine conditions can be as debilitating as laminitis, which can be triggered by a variety of events or occur on its own. Laminitis occurs when the laminae, a set of finger-like structures which support the coffin bone and hold it in place in the hoof capsule, become inflamed. This inflammation is incredibly painful.

The breakover phase of a horse's stride is the most painful for laminitis horses. This is when all of his weight rests on his toe as he steps forward, putting intense pressure on already-sensitive structures. A study has found that elevating a horse's heels with a wedge can shorten the breakover period, protecting damaged tissues and helping to alleviate some of the horse's pain.

The study used eight acutely laminitic horses to compare the breakover of hooves and those with a heel wedge. The horses were walked on a poured concrete surface both barefoot and with the wedge applied. The scientists found that the heel wedge shortened breakover and reduced the load on the horse's toe. Elevating the heel placed 81 percent of the load on the bottom half of the hoof, near the heel, relieving pain and mitigating lamellar damage.

The researchers recommend using heel wedges for no more than two to three weeks at a time to avoid collapsing the horse's heels and contracting his hooves.

Pain Management Strategies for Laminitic Horses: Different Solutions For Different Causes

Many horses that develop laminitis are not euthanized because of the changes to the laminae, but because of the uncontrollable pain the condition brings on. A virtual session of the 2020 American Association of Equine Practitioners annual convention summarized the current research on the best way to manage pain in different types of laminitis cases.

The pain a laminitic horse feels is multidimensional. It can be brought on by pressure within the hoof capsule, inflammation of the laminae, tearing of soft tissues, a reduction of blood supply to the hoof, contact between the coffin bone and the sole of the hoof, and neuropathic pain.

Dr. Katherine Ellis of Gail Holmes Equine Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University, explained several different strategies for different causes of laminitis. Phenylbutazone (bute) is commonly given to treat laminitis, but that other drugs, including as flunixin, ketoprofen or firocoxib, may be better at controlling laminitic pain.

Ellis stressed that if an NSAID doesn't seem to be providing pain relief to a laminitic horse, another should be considered. A horse that has developed laminitis from overindulging in grain would benefit from having his hooves submerged ice water. This will be helpful for controlling pain and limiting injury. Ideally, the hooves would be submerged constantly for 48 to 72 hours, though this is a labor-intense endeavor.

Metabolic issues like equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and Cushing's disease can put a horse at risk for chronic laminitis. Gabapentin has been shown to be an effective pain medication for horses with chronic laminitis, but higher doses of pain medications may be necessary to provide relief.

Ellis noted that acupuncture and use of a TENS unit may offer some additional pain relief. Chiropractic work and massage may offer respite from body pain brought on by the laminitic stance.

A horse that has an injury to a leg may develop supporting limb laminitis. Ellis suggests using morphine and butorphanol blocks and fentanyl patches to help control pain in these cases. A tramadol and ketamine infusion can also be used. Ellis notes that biologics like stem cells and platelet-rich plasma can be used for the anti-inflammatory properties.

Laminitic Horses May Benefit From Hoof Casts And Heel Wedges

New research from shows that elevating a laminitic horse's heel using a wedge and hoof cast can help alleviate some of the pain associated with the condition.

The breakover phase of a horse's stride is the most painful part for horses suffering from acute laminitis. This is when the heaviest load is placed on the toe and middle region of the hoof. The goal of the new therapy was to try to shift the load from the most-painful area of the hoof onto undamaged areas.

Drs. Al Naem, Lutz-Ferdinand Litzke, Klaus Failing, Johanna Hoffmann, Michael Röcken and Florian Geburek medically treated eight horses with acute laminitis and also applied a hoof cast with a heel wedge.

Measurements were taken with the cast in place and when the cast was removed, when the horse was barefoot. The hoof print was divided into toe, middle hoof and heel region, and measurements were taken that included vertical force, stance duration, contact area while standing, duration of breakover, vertical force on the toe during breakover, and location of the center of force.

The scientists determined that both the vertical force and contact area were higher in the heel region when the horse was wearing both the wedge and the cast, but that decreased once each was removed. The breakover phase lasted just 2 percent of the stance phase when the horse had the cast and wedge in place; it was 6 percent of the stance phase when the horse was barefoot.

The team concluded that heel elevation significantly shortened the breakover phase and decreased the vertical force in the toe region. They suggest that the application of a wedge and a cast to the affected hooves of a horse with laminitis will decreases the stress on the lamellae and reduce pain. The researchers did note that long-term application of a wedge and cast may result in crushed heels, cracks or misplaced bulbs, so they suggest that these tools be limited to two to three weeks of use.

Read the full article here.