Ready to ride?
Q How will my vet and farrier know when my recovering laminitic is ready to be ridden again? Karen Franklin, Wiltshire A Laminitis occurs as a result of inflammation of the laminae or lamellae – the soft tissue structures inside the hoof capsule that hold the pedal bone within the hoof wall. When these structures are inflamed they start to separate and break down and, over time, this may result in rotation and sinking of the pedal bone.
A team effort
Each case of laminitis will need to be assessed on an individual basis, depending on the severity and chronicity of the condition, the degree of any rotation or structural changes in the hoof, identification of the underlying cause (for example equine metabolic syndrome or Cushing’s), and the animal’s response to treatment. As a general rule, a horse or pony that has suffered from laminitis should be completely comfortable when he’s off any anti-inflammatory drug (such as bute or Danilon) before he’s ridden again. It should be a team effort between you, your vet and farrier to decide the correct way forward. Many cases of laminitis resolve quickly and without any secondary complications. However, more tricky cases may require X-rays and remedial shoeing. It can take up to 12 months for a new hoof capsule to grow and, in some cases, it will take a year for severe structural changes to fully repair and resolve.