Dr. Judith L. Mulholland

• No forced exercise - in the short term (acute). Do not exercise a horse which is showing any signs of pain.
• Allow free exercise - have the horse in a large area at least 20’x20’ with a soft surface and shade. Make access to feed and water easy. Provide company close by.
• Yes hand walking - carefully, in the longer term (chronic). Only if the horse is free of pain.
• Preferably, allow only self exercise in the first 30 days.

During the acute stage of laminitis, exercise was once thought to be beneficial; however, there is already a great increase in blood flow to the foot during the acute stage, and the tissues which are bonding the insensitive and sensitive laminae are very fragile and easily weakened. Exercise causes further tearing of the remaining laminae and increases the damage.

Ideally, the horse should be in an area big enough for it to move around if it wants to. A normal stable is too small, as standing stock still is also not ideal.

Inflammation is part of the repair process, and although it is necessary to minimise the pain and inflammation in the short term, once the acute stage has passed it is possible to minimise or eliminate anti-inflammatory drugs from the horses treatment, and reintroduce some controlled exercise such as walking in hand. Exercise increases blood flow and metabolism by the cells so that healing progresses.

Balanced trimming and shoeing are very important factors in increasing the horse's comfort and returning blood flow to the affected parts of the foot through movement.

Depending upon the severity of the laminitis, a horse may return to normal activities in 30 days in very mild cases, and several months to one year or more in the most severe cases. Some never return to being 100% sound. The time is entirely dependant upon the individual case and response to treatment.