Equine Laminitis

- Risk Factors for Laminitis

 While any equine may develop laminitis, some are more vulnerable than others include:

1- Pituitary Pars Intermedia Disease (PPID or Equine Cushing’s Disease) when the horse also has insulin resistance.

2- Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS).

3-  Horses who have received high or long-term doses of corticosteroids are at increased risk of developing laminitis because these drugs induce insulin resistance.

4- Animals with poor hoof or limb conformation due to abnormal biomechanics.

5- Certain genes may predispose horses to metabolic dysfunction and laminitis. Breeds such as   Morgans, Paso Finos, Arabians, Andalusians, and Welsh, Shetland and Dartmoor ponies are considered more vulnerable to equine metabolic syndrome and laminitis.

6-  “Road founder” or excessive concussion on hard surfaces, more common in driving horses.

7- Pregnancy-induced insulin resistance.

8-  Toxins entering the body, such as from a snake bite.

9- Long courses of Cephalosporin antibiotic.

10- Stall Rest.

11- Idiopathic.