What Causes Laminitis In Horses

There are several causes of laminitis but the primary cause is a sudden increase in carbohydrates in the horse s diet.

What causes laminitis in horses.

Equine metabolic syndrome is basically a collection of clinical signs such as. This is often seen when a horse breaks into a sweet feed bin and gorges himself or a pony is given free reign on a young spring pasture. Soluble carbohydrates including sugars and starch when consumed in excess can overload the horse s digestive system with undigested sugar and starch which is pushed through to the hindgut. Factors that seem to increase a horse s susceptibility to laminitis or increase the severity of the condition when it does occur include the following.

Heavy breeds such as draft horses overweight body high nutritional plane feeding large amounts of carbohydrate rich meals ponies morgans. What causes laminitis in horses. There are many causes of equine stress and due to some stress laminitis in horses may be developed. Laminitis tends to be a secondary condition arising from a variety of sources so we ll guide you through the most common.

After a long journey due to the transportation of horses introduction to the new environment staying a long time in hard standing riding horses in the unknown trail and unfamiliar stablemates may also lead to laminitis. A high intake of soluble carbohydrates can be a cause of laminitis.