Laminitis is a very serious condition that can lead to permanent lameness. Damage to the very sensitive laminae tissues in the hoof occurs when blood flow to those tissues is restricted.

Very little can be done once laminitis signs occur. For this reason, you should immediately contact your vet if you suspect that your horse is at risk for developing laminitis. Do not wait for signs to appear! Early treatment may prevent permanent damage, or chronic founder.

Acute Laminitis Treatment

Acute laminitis is triggered by over-consumption of grain, springtime pasture grass, and legume hay. Cold water consumption after a heavy workout can also cause laminitis. In rare cases, it is caused by infections in other parts of the body.



Acute laminitis usually occurs 12 to 18 hours after food over-consumption. You should remove all food from the area – all grain and hay. Do not let the horse eat. If the horse is out to pasture, place him in a stall.

With grain founder, a stomach tube is passed into the gastrointestinal tract and used to administer a large volume of mineral oil. This prevents the body from absorbing endotoxins and causes a laxative effect, encouraging bowel movements. This may be done every six hours until the horse completely passes the grain.

Treating Signs of Acute Laminitis

The following should be done if signs of laminitis occur:

• Remove the horse shoes.
• Apply cold or ice packs to the hooves, although “recent evidence suggests that hot packs used early in the course of the disease may be more beneficial,” according to the The Merck Veterinary Manual.
• Provide the horse with a soft area to stand, preferably six inches of sand. “[This] reduces tension on the deep digital flexor tendon,” says James M. Giffin, M.D. and Tom Gore, D.V.M. in their book Horse Owner’s Veterinary Handbook.
• “Apply 18- to 20-degree wedge pads beneath the heels, or wrap a roll of elastic gauze beneath the frog,” Giffin and Gore also advise.
• Avoid exercising the horse. The horse should be kept still.

Treating Chronic Laminitis

The condition of the coffin bone is a huge indicator of whether treatment of chronic laminitis will be successful. Coffin bone rotation of more than 12 degrees will most likely result in permanent lameness.

The focus of treating chronic founder is to prevent the coffin bone from rotating further. This is done with hoof trimming and corrective shoeing as part of a cooperative effort between the veterinarian and the farrier.

Medications for Laminitis Treatment

There are several medications that are useful for preventing and treating the signs of laminitis. Flunixin meglumine is a medication that fights the endotoxins. Phenylbutazone is an anti-inflammatory that is used to treat many conditions. It is especially useful when given intravenously with Acepromazine within the first 24 hours to treat capillary constriction and hypertension. After 24 hours, phenylbutazone can be given by mouth.

According to Merck, “Phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride causes vasodilation for up to 24 hours, [and] has been used in severe and acute cases of laminitis. However, it may cause depression and should be avoided in horses in shock.”

Long-Term Laminitis Treatment

Grain should be completely removed from the diet and replaced with hay. Giffin and Gore suggest “offering a few pounds of hay two or three times a day while watching for signs of relapse. Later, grain should be introduced at a rate of 1/2 pound per day. Water should be available at all times.”

The horse should be allowed to pasture for short periods of time. Be careful not to over-feed with clover and alfalfa hay. Feed grain sparingly. In fact, many horses do not need grain, especially if they are not exercised regularly or do not suffer nutritional deficiencies.

Laminitis is dangerous because it can permanently founder a horse. For this reason, merely suspecting the possibility of laminitis warrants a call to the vet. Early treatment can save a horse’s hooves.

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