Laminitis or Founder in Horses

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Laminitis or Founder in Horses

By: Dr. Philip Johnson

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Section: Overview

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What is laminitis?

Laminitis is a crippling and painful condition of the horse's foot. Affected horses are recognized based on lameness, stiffness, reluctance to move and prolonged recumbency. It usually affects more than one foot at a time. The laminitis disease process affects the connective tissues ("lamellae"), which attach and connect the inner lining of the hoof capsule to the coffin bone (the bone at the bottom of the horse's leg). Disease of this connective tissue is very painful and, in severe cases, may lead to disattachment and structural compromise.

What is "founder"?

The term "founder" is commonly used synonymously with laminitis. However, in the opinion of some veterinarians, the term "founder" should be reserved for those horses in which the attachment of the inner lining of the hoof capsule to the coffin bone, has actually broken down and caused the coffin bone to change its position within the hoof.

The weight of the horse is important in this respect, as it contributes to the distraction process through the deep digital flexor tendon.

Predisposing Factors

Obesity. Heavier horses are at increased risk for severe laminitis because more stress is put on the lameinae

Certain plants. Ingestion of endophyte-infected Tall Fescue has been proposed to increase the risk for laminitis.

Hypothyroidism. Numerous hormonal imbalances have been proposed to increase the risk for laminitis. Other than elevated cortisol levels, no other hormone in excess or deficiency has been shown to cause laminitis. There is no evidence that hypothyroidism causes laminitis, but some obese horses have low levels of thyroxine. The reason is unknown.

Whole body potassium deficiency. Some diets may not provide sufficient potassium and might increase the risk for laminitis.

Stress. Stressful events lead to enhanced endogenous cortisol production that appears to lead to laminitis.

Hoof conformation/farriery. Small feet in relation to the size of the body and other poorly characterized hoof conformational changes may affect the likelihood of laminitis. Excessive farriery, especially coupled with hard work on hard ground, represents a big risk for laminitis.

Age. Laminitis probably never occurs in horses less than 10 months of age.

Breed/genetics. Miniature breeds do not appear to be at risk for laminitis.

Concrete and paved surfaces. Horses that spend substantial periods of time on very hard surfaces appear to be at risk for laminitis.

Previous lamellar disease. Any horse is at increased risk for further bouts of laminitis after developing the disease in the first place. This is especially true of earlier bouts of laminitis.

Use of certain drugs. Glucocorticoid steroids such as dexamethasone and triamcinalone appears to lead to laminitis.

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1Foot Abscess
Foot abscesses are usually the result of a deep bruise or an injury that penetrates the sole of the foot. For example, a misdirected nail can cause enough injury to start an abscess.
Read More
2Suspensory Ligament Injuries
Suspensory ligament injuries commonly occur in performance horses as a result of sudden overextension of the limb during weight bearing. Ligamentous injuries can be career and occasionally life threatening....
Read More
3Tendon Injuries
Tendons are comprised of collagen fibers that are arranged in such a manner to allow the tendons to be elastic in nature. When strains occur, the collagen fibers break, which resaults in inflammation,...
Read More
4Colic
Signs of colic vary among horses, but an observant and knowledgeable owner usually suspects the onset of colic before overt symptoms appear, especially if the owner is familiar with the normal behavior...
Read More
5Fescue Agalactia
Fescue agalactia is a problem for brood mares and occurs when mares ingest tall fescue during pregnancy. The disease is named for the fact that the udder does not develop and cannot secrete milk, causing...
Read More

Laminitis or Founder in Horses

Laminitis or Founder in Horses

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