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German VersionHoof Laminitis
This is a form of Corium inflammation predominantly between the Toe Wall (Stratum Internum - Horny Laminac) and Pedal Bone and may have the following causes:
- Infection following malnutrition
- Laminitis secondary to Afterbirth poisoning
- Overloading the horse
- Increased pressure on the hoof, following the laming of one of the other hooves
In most cases this primarily affects the front hooves (seldom all four). Due to the pain at the toe, the horse attempts to distribute it`s weight onto the ball of the hoof. They stretch the lead foot forward and hunch the back to lower the hind-quarters forward (similar to a Paralellogram diagram configuration)
The discomfort experienced is comparable to hitting oneself on the finger with a heavy hammer. The Corium develops a blood blister similar to one`s injured finger, and the surrounding tissue swells. The restrictive nature of the horn capsule results in the Laminar Corium separating from the wall of the horn (the Blue Nail eventually grows out).
As soon as the symptoms described above present themself, one must lose no time in enlisting the services of the Horse Vet and Farrier. Walking the horse in a cold stream of water results in restricting the pooling of blood around the lesion, and indirectly reducing the flow of new blood to the region.
The Vet will most propably inject an anti-inflammatory, or bleed the local arterior to allow renewal of the poisoned blood.
To reduce the acute pain caused by the horse applying pressure on the wound, the Farrier will shoe the horse with a Laminitis or Custom Shoe, which has an open toe.
To immobilise the Hoof Mechanism, the Bars are nailed to the shoe, indirectly allowing the tender part of the hoof to be suspended without making contact with the ground on standing.
Dr. Hiltrut Strasser states in her opinion that, Laminitis can only in certain rare cases be treated solely by the above method.
With progression of this inflammation and it sequelae, the bone and hoof wall will separate, and the tension created
by the flexing and pulling of the hoof tendons around the Coffin Bone, pulls this downward under the hoof sole, which as and end effect, can cause a rupturing of the sole.
To hinder this, the hoof must be cut in such a manner as to re-establish the equilibrium in the hoof mechanism in order for the hoof once again to be able to produce stable horn which is able to become re-attached to the Coffin Bone.
One has to remove all the excess horn wall over-lying the wound, deep right to the White-Line and down almost to the Ground Border of the wall, in order to allow the Coffin Bone to find it`s physiologically healthy position, with reation to the Hoof Wall.
The affected Horn hasn`t any weight bearing function anymore, and it`s limits the flexing of the hoof. Also if the toe of the hoof is too long, the pressure created in this area when the hoof lifts off, in itself can prevent the re-attachment of the bone. This modification of the hoof wall must be painstakingly repeated until the bone has obtained a stable re-attatchment, and the point is reached where the Laminar Corium is once again healthy.
Pictures of a Shetty gelding after suffering from Laminitis for 3 months.
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