Quest Equine Welfare Inc.

LAMINITIS - from Quest Vice President, Dr. J. Mulholland BSc. BVMS

From the middle of winter heading into spring I begin seeing laminitis cases. As day length increases and the weather becomes milder the growth rate and photosynthesis of plants increase and so does the risk of laminitis. Cases this year include a 6 year old quarter horse, 10 year old arab and 8 year old pony. All mares. The risk factors are breed, age and gender. Middle aged, fat, female, equine. Ponies with a previous history of laminitis should already be in out of risk areas, and you could organise your feeding program for those ponies through the spring now. Too late to go looking for the right hay at the last minute.

I rarely recommend anything, but if you need a feed for ponies in confinement throughout the lush months ahead ask your feed supplier about WALK-EASY. This feed was developed in consultation with me for obesity and treatment of acute and chronic lamintis. For more information go to www.dmstockfeeds.com.au - nutrition and click on the tabs.

If you have obese horses this is the time to rethink what is healthy.

Obesity combined with the other risk factors significantly tips the scales in favour of a horse or pony developing laminitis. Mares are at most risk. For more information also go to www.farriervet.com - laminitis and read topics relevant to your situation. Once your precious equine, horse, pony or donkey has developed lamintis it can never be reversed, and this disease is the number one crippler and eventual killer of horses.

Take care, spring is in the air.