Dr. Judith L. Mulholland

Several severe laminitic episodes, months or years apart, can lead to chronic degeneration of the distal phalanx, circumflex artery and the cells producing the wall, white line and sole. Tension on the deep digital flexor tendon due to muscle spasm as a cause or effect of pain can lead to a broken forward hoof pastern angle and chronic rotation of the pedal bone. Severing the tendon (desmotomy) gives short term relief, but research has shown that most do not progress well for more than a year or so. Therefore, why not investigate alternative therapies including nutrition, acupuncture, massage, trigger point therapy, physiotherapy and stretching combined with farriery.

Management of the feet becomes a complex problem involving many environmental factors. It can be difficult to maintain quality of life. Some horses never return to a totally pain-free existence. Many cope with this, functioning as valuable stud animals. Others never respond sufficiently to therapy and should be euthanased on humanitarian grounds.

The principles are the same, no matter how chronic or severe distortion of the feet has become. Trim for normal hoof/pastern angles and heel length within the capabilities of the damaged or contracted structures; shoe for maximum posterior support and avoid sole pressure. Hoof reconstruction may aid your ability to shoe the hoof as required to normalise it.

Use the diet as fuel to promote health and grow healthy hoof without letting the patient gain excess weight. Do everything possible to restore normal hoof growth and function. The feed bin motivates most horses who have survived this long. They eat everything and have a great desire to live.

Successful treatment of laminitis requires long-term treatment of the whole horse, not just the feet. It is a long, slow process. Vets or Farriers who are unsure of what to do next, or have a patient which is failing to improve, should seek a second or third opinion. Sharing information with the owner or carers is important. Well informed people make better decisions.