Laminitis

Laminitis results from unnatural stresses we subject the horse to. These stresses occur in "combination", triggering a cascade of pathophysiological events that overwhelm the horse's auto-immune system (not unlike cancer), resulting in the traumatic detachment of the hoof capsule (the epidermal hoof we see) from the horse. Most horse owners know it by the "stretched white line" that emerges between the hoof wall and the sole. And often, too, by visible lameness.

Countless horses worldwide are laminitic. Many are on their way to becoming so. Many are put down, others remain chronically lame. When it happens, your life, and your horse's, will be changed forever. It is nothing to be ignorant about. Most horse owners don't know the "pre-signs". Neither do their vets nor traditional farriers. A current myth circulating is that until laminitis "breaks out", you don't know its happening. My evaluation of your horse will tell you if he is at risk and if sub-clinical signs are present. There is no reason "not to know".

Natural healing of laminitis combines good science, common sense, and not least, genuine holistic care. This is what I do. I provide "cutting edge" care for this disease.

At right are two radiographs, provided by a client, which illustrate typical natural healing of the laminitic capsule over a one year period. The digital axis [coffin (P3), short (P2), and long pastern bones (P1)], is, at the onset of the acute laminitic attack, characterized by severe P3 - rotation. Over time, and concurrent with the types of holistic changes I advocate, the axis has been restored to a natural alignment. No invasive trimming or surgical procedures, risky chemical therapies, or orthopedic shoeing are necessary to effect natural healing. 

Read about another laminitis story.

Continued mismanagement descends the horse into a state of "chronic founder syndrome". Here, the hoof is subject to repeat episodes of laminitis over months and even years. Very likely, it will take on a very extreme, "slipper toe", deformed appearance. It may develop a "club foot". Permanent damage to the dermal-epidermal attachment mechanisms may result, particularly if invasive trim methods (e.g., epidermal resections) are resorted to. Preventive holistic care then becomes imperative.

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