Aged horses are at risk for pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID), and insulin dysregulation (hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance) is an underlying problem in some animals. Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are exacerbated by PPID, and this increases the risk of laminitis. It is therefore recommended that all aged horses be screened for PPID and hyperinsulinemia and the magnitu...

Unlike other nutrients, such as protein and calcium, where requirements are provided in grams per cow per day for specific body weight and milk production levels, fiber “requirements” are merely minimum guidelines (NRC, 2001) aimed at maintaining normal ruminal pH, fiber digestion and milk fat test and preventing sub-acute rumen acidosis (SARA), laminitis and displaced abomasums (LDA). NRC (200...

An intervention trial by Hedges and others (2001) studying 1109 cow-years, in which every lame cow was examined and recorded by a veterinary surgeon, determined the four main causes of lameness to be sole ulcers, white line disease, digital dermatitis and interdigital necrobacillosis (‘foul’ or ‘foot rot’) (see graph on the right). Sole ulcers and white line disease are defects of the hoof and,...