Laminitis focus

 

Dengie Senior Nutritionist Katie Williams explains more about this crippling disease, what owners can do to prevent it and how The Laminitis Trust Approval Mark can help you make better decisions about your horse or pony’s diet.

 

Research has shown that just over 7% of all equine deaths in the UK are due to laminitis, which explains why it is a disease feared by horse owners. A number of causal factors have been identified that all result in the same painful debilitating symptoms. According to Robert Eustace FRCVS from The Laminitis Trust, over 80% of laminitis cases can be avoided with better dietary management and the Laminitis Trust Approval Mark has been developed to help owners choose a feed that is more appropriate for their laminitis-prone horse or pony.

 

What is laminitis?

 

The layer of tissue which bonds the hoof wall to the pedal bone is known as the laminae. Laminitis occurs when the laminae becomes inflamed, resulting in severe pain as the hoof wall is not able to expand to accommodate this swelling. In severe cases, the blood flow to the pedal bone can become compromised, causing the bone to rotate downward and even push through the sole of the hoof. The damage this causes is often irreversible.

 

The disease is more commonly seen in the front feet, and horses suffering from laminitis often adopt a classic stance of rocking back onto the hind legs to take the weight off the front. Other symptoms include extreme pain, pounding digital pulse and warm feet; shifting weight from one foot to another; slow and stilted walk and trot and difficulty turning, especially on hard ground. Laminitis should be treated with the same urgency as you would with colic. If you suspect your horse or pony has laminitis, call your vet, who will help to make them more comfortable and advise on proper treatment and prevention.

 

All horses and ponies can potentially suffer laminitis, and their diets must therefore be carefully managed to ensure that this does not occur. Certain types of horse or pony however may be more susceptible, such as overweight ponies or older animals with Cushing's Disease, and so need to be managed as if they are prone to laminitis even if they haven't suffered from it previously.

 

The link between diet and laminitis

 

Dietary-related laminitis is usually induced by excess sugar (also known as water soluble carbohydrates) and starch, the main sources of which are grass and cereals. Sugar and starch is normally absorbed in the small intestine, but an overload can lead to some passing into the large intestine. Acidosis occurs as a result, killing of the beneficial bacteria in the hindgut. This in turn releases endotoxins, which can enter the bloodstream through damage to the gut wall and trigger laminitis by activating enzymes in the laminae.

 

Fructans are a particular type of sugar found in grass and have been implicated in the development of laminitis. The fructan content of grass changes daily, and is affected by the light, temperature, water availability and the species of grass. Most people are aware that pasture access has to be limited for horses and ponies prone to laminitis. Recent research has highlighted just how important this is, as it is thought that over 60% of laminitis cases are pasture related.

 

Horses and ponies can consume a lot of energy (calories) when grazing – some individuals can consume up to 5% of their own bodyweight as grass. Many equine welfare charities have reported that obesity is a greater problem than malnutrition and it is the link between obesity and increased risk of laminitis that has been researched in more detail in recent years.

 

Contrary to popular belief, horses suffering from laminitis should never be starved. The horse must continue to receive a good level of fibre in order to keep the gut healthy, together with essential vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, horses that are starved are at risk of developing hyperlipeamia, a very serious condition where high levels of fat are released into the bloodstream. The Laminitis Trust recommends feeding a diet that is high in fibre but low in starch and sugar.

 

Raising awareness

 

The Laminitis Trust is the only registered charity dedicated to supporting research into equine laminitis. Founded in 1998 by Robert Eustace FRCVS, the Laminitis Trust raises money for research projects through donations, bequests and fundraising initiatives, enabling greater investigation into the causes of laminitis and any possible cures.

 

Another function of the Laminitis Trust is to co-ordinate educational campaigns to warn horse owners of the dangers of laminitis and provide informed advice and recommendations. As part of this, the Laminitis Trust Approval Mark was introduced to identify feeds that are considered suitable for the healthy maintenance of horses and ponies prone to, or suffering from, laminitis. 

 

The mark was developed after consultation with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, and is awarded to feeds that reach certain standards as outlined by the Scientific Committee of the Laminitis Trust. Approval is given to feeds that are low in rapidly fermentable carbohydrates (sugar and starch) and high in fibre, made using high quality ingredients with high standards of quality control. Annual inspection of the manufacturing mills is also required to ensure that these high standards are continually being met.

 

At present, there are four companies producing feeds bearing the Laminitis Trust Approval Mark, three of which are UK based. Dengie Horse Feeds currently has the highest number of approved products, with a range of six feeds now signalling the company’s commitment to the welfare of laminitic horses. The ethos at Dengie is to develop feeds and supplements that are sympathetic to the horse’s digestive system, and the range is based on alfalfa as it is naturally low in starch and sugar.

 

Dengie plays an active role in raising awareness and supporting laminitis research. One current project that Dengie funding is supporting via the Laminitis Trust is an investigation into pasture-associated laminitis. The Royal Veterinary College was recently awarded a grant of £134,425 by the Laminitis Trust, to measure the effect of exercise on circulating cytokines and insulin resistance markers in high-risk ponies. The study will be undertaken over a two-year period, and is part of a collaborative series of laminitis research projects co-ordinated by the Laminitis Trust, involving experts in their fields of research on a worldwide basis.

All legacies and donations made to the Laminitis Trust help to further the equine industry’s knowledge of laminitis and how to prevent it. Says Laminitis Trust founder Robert Eustace: “Additionally, we recognise the efforts of those feed companies whose responsible attitude to horse nutrition has enabled the Laminitis Trust Feed Approval Mark to become the ‘gold standard’. Lastly, without the support of their customers who buy Approved Feeds for their animals, the Trust would not have been able to provide this substantial research grant to the Royal Veterinary College.”

The Laminitis Trust advises: “Do be aware that some companies create their own laminitis marks but these are not the official Laminitis Trust Approval mark." If you are in any doubt check the Trust’s website at www.laminitis.org/approval.html.

 

For more information on feeding to prevent laminitis, visit www.dengie.com or call the Dengie Feedline on 0845 345 5115.

 

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