Animal Science E-News - October 2009

The Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Laminitis is a painful lameness condition that can affect any breed of horse or pony. Although the exact mechanics of the ailment are debatable, laminitis will result in inflammation and a compromise of blood flow to the sensitive and insensitive laminae of the horse’s foot. The laminae are important interwoven structures in the foot that secure the coffin bone to the hoof wall. In chronic, long-term cases, the coffin bone can rotate downward away from the hoof wall. These more severe cases that include rotation of the coffin bone are more commonly referred to as “founder.” Laminitis can affect one foot or multiple feet, and it most commonly occurs in both front feet at the same time.