Needs a professional
Laminitis
A painful inflammation of the laminae that bind the wall to the coffin bone. This is an emergency; call the vet.
⚠ Needs a professional
This is a recognition page, not a treatment guide. If you suspect this problem, call your vet or farrier. Do not treat it yourself.
How to recognise it
- Clear lameness, often in both front feet, and reluctance to walk or turn.
- A sawhorse stance: front legs stretched forward and hind legs tucked far under the body.
- Warm hooves with a strong, pounding pulse above the hoof.
- Lying down a lot, shifting weight and pain that is worse on hard ground.
How urgent
Laminitis is a veterinary emergency. The sooner treatment starts, the better the chance of recovery, because the coffin bone can begin to rotate within days. Call the vet the moment you suspect it.
Do not do yourself
- Do not force the horse to walk or lunge to 'work it out'.
- Do not give painkillers or anti-inflammatories yourself without talking to the vet.
- Do not wait until 'tomorrow', and do not trim or try to correct the coffin bone yourself.
When to call a professional
Call the vet at once. Until they arrive, keep the horse on a soft, dry surface with deep bedding, withhold hard feed and grass, and do not move it around unnecessarily.
Discover more
Sources: Merck Veterinary Manual · American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) · Merck Veterinary Manual.