Top Tips To Managing Laminitis

Inflammation within the delicate structures which connects your ponies pedal bone to the hoof wall is why your pony experiences pain during a bout of laminitis.  These bonds are called laminae.   As these bonds weaken and break the pedal bone tips, rotating down through the sole of the foot.  The pain of this condition is unbearable so here are some quick tips you can do to reduce the pain and reduce the damage.

1.       Recognise the Early Signs and Act Fast

If you notice your pony having any behavioural changes, they are slow and sluggish when not normally so, or are acting suspicious in any way and they have a history of laminitis - suspect another impending and act quickly.  Giving an anti-inflammatory early is an essential way to managing the pain and reducing the swelling of the laminae.  Remove from pasture and yard.  Soak all hay for 12 hours prior to feeding your pony and monitor closely for deterioration.

2.       Lying Down?  Don't Move!

Ponies lie down to relieve the pressure in their hooves due to the inflammation.  Getting them up to move them exacerbates the destruction of the laminae.  This speeds up the rotation of the pedal bone.  The best thing to do is to leave them lying down.

3.       Stand in Sand

Pour bags of sand around your horse's feet to stand in.  This allows the ponies feet to sink into the soft sand and find a position where they are comfortable.  It distributes the weight evenly over the foot.

4.       Ice Ice Baby!

Have your horse stand in ice cold water for prolonged periods of time.  Horse can stand in icey water for up to 24 hours.  This intense cold therapy reduces the size of the blood vessels in the hoof and therefore restricts the blood flow and inflammation.  You want to restrict movement as much as possible.  You could try buying a large plastic container (such as a plastic children's sand pit).  Place your ice and cold water in that and tie your pony to the fence so they are standing in the icy water.

5.       Foam Feet

Buy a sheet of foam and cut out a circle shape three times larger than your horses foot.  Wrap each foot in foam folding the edges up to the pastern bone and tape in place.  These will essential be little foam slippers on your horses feet.  The foam moulds in to the hoof distributing the weight evenly.  This dramatically reduces the pain, supports the hoof and aids in any repair.

Remember once a certain amount of damage has been done there is no way back - its perminant.  Only your quick action can save your horse from this crippling problem.  For more read the other articles on ThatHorse.com on this subject.

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