Courtesy of SmartPak.com
The term “laminitis” is used to describe an inflammation of the laminae, the tissue that connects your horse’s coffin bone to the rest of the hoof. This inflammation can be extremely painful, and in severe cases it can cause the laminae to die, leaving the coffin bone unsupported in the hoof. If the bone rotates or sinks in the hoof, the horse is said to have “foundered.” Because of the potential severity, this condition always requires attention from your veterinarian and farrier.
The leading cause of laminitis is widely believed to be pasture (grass sugar) overload, which is one of the reasons it’s best to reintroduce grazing slowly in the springtime. You may also consider using a grazing muzzle to help reduce your horse’s risk of overindulging on pasture.
