Can Hay Cause Laminitis

Although laminitis occurs in the feet the underlying cause is often a disturbance elsewhere in the horse s body.

Can hay cause laminitis. Your horse is in good body condition. Laminitis is a complex cascade of events that causes the soft tissues laminae within the hoof to swell weaken and die. Barbaro shattered a leg in the 2006 preakness stakes ending his racing career and eventually his life. This is what struck down the 2006 kentucky derby winner barbaro in early 2007.

Common causes of laminitis in horses. If a horse has a history of chronic laminitis my first concern would be addressing the metabolic issues contributing to the problem usually obesity and or pituitary dysfunction both of which. The causes vary and may include the following. Black walnut shavings in contact with the horse or sweet alyssum in the hay can cause laminitis mechanism unknown.

Bacterial viral plant chemical and fungal toxins have all been implicated in causing laminitis. She is doing well on the grass alfalfa mix hay you are currently feeding. Laminitis is quite unlike any other equine disease. While the exact mechanisms by which the feet are damaged remain a mystery certain precipitating events can produce laminitis.

Watch horses that are suffering from fever diarrhoea colic particularly after surgery pneumonia pleurisy and retained placenta. A variety of medications to treat the acute and refractory forms have been. The laminitic horse should feed only grass hay during the acute phase and if the horse is overweight it should be placed on a reduced diet thereafter. A case of acute laminitis in horses may take several days to weeks to respond.

This can all occur before any symptoms are apparent and once the process has started it is extremely difficult to stop. Free choice hay is usually the best place to start along with a vitamin mineral and protein supplement that matches your hay. If the horse is overweight but developed laminitis from a cause other than insulin resistance you can still use the insulin resistance diet guidelines below or implement the tips in our lean cuisine article.