Michael Kyle and Clare Arthur attended the recent Laminitis Awareness seminar at Edinburgh University.

 

The main points of interest arising were, 

• The most common form of laminitis in the UK is pasture induced and the majority of these cases have underlying hormonal problems  
• The commonest hormonal problem being Equine Metabolic Syndrome, (EMS) which is caused by insulin resistance.
• Obesity and genetic factors both predispose to EMS.
• The majority of these cases are not diabetic.
• "Cresty "necks and bulging supraorbital fat pads indicate altered fat distribution and should be taken seriously. Like some people with Type 2 Diabetes, different types of fat, including unseen internal fat, may cause more severe problems.
• The mildest / earliest form of this disease may be Summer Pasture Associated Laminitis, but if management not changed will progress to recurrent laminitic bouts at any time of year.
• EMS can be controlled by diet and exercise, and to a lesser degree medical therapy.  Diet- the single most important factor is to reduce calorie intake i.e. pasture access restriction, remove all grain based concentrates, soak hay for at least one hour or ideally 12 hours, but ensure adequate protein, vitamin and mineral intake with a ration balancer. Grass intake is the biggest supplier of calories for the majority of horses and ponies.
• Encourage winter fat loss in leisure horses.  Exercise is a protective factor against insulin resistance even before weight loss is recognised. This is why many regularly worked but fat "riding school" ponies escape laminitis whereas many other ponies only exercised at weekends succumb, despite being less fat.
• Fructans in grass are at their highest in winter, in frosted grass and stressed grass, but it is highly unlikely that an animal will be able to ingest enough to trigger laminitis. I.e. long-term calories control and exercise more important. 

 

The other frequent cause of hormonally induced laminitis is Equine Cushing's Syndrome (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction) seen in horses and ponies generally over 15 years of age and recognised most often by thicker coats and lack of shedding in the summer, often with sweating and increased drinking / urination. Coat changes are less dramatic in horses than ponies but condition thought to be just as common. This condition is the commonest old age syndrome in horses and will also affect donkeys, although not all cases will develop laminitis. Many authorities believe now that all horses will develop Cushing's if they live long enough. Medical treatment will help alleviate signs.

The take home message - unless your horse/pony has been very sick or gorged itself to explain a laminitic episode beware of underlying hormonal problems, and investigate cause fully to prevent further episodes in the future. Some authorities believe now that you should not own a horse/pony unless you can give it half an hours exercise /day (turnout in field is not considered adequate exercise). Learn to fat score your animals fortnightly and alter management accordingly.

 

Exercise and calorie control!

 

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