Free laminitis pack for owners
Redwings Horse Sanctuary has produced information leaflets on laminitis to help address myths surrounding the disease.
Following the discovery that 90 per cent of laminitis cases are caused by one of two underlying conditions, the sanctuary decided to take action to educate owners.
The two conditions linked with the disease are Equine Metabolic Syndrome, which is directly associated with obesity, and Equine Cushing's Disease, which is neither preventable nor curable.
According to Redwings, any horse with either condition should not be allowed to graze spring grass, as they will be particularly susceptible to laminitis.
"Laminitis itself is shrouded in myths and confusion," said Redwings' vet, Roxane Kirton, who mentioned walking it off, a few days in the stable and hot feet are all myths that surround the disease.
"Research is ongoing, but recent research suggests most cases of laminitis are a sign of either Equine Cushing's Disease or Equine Metabolic Syndrome.
"We have produced a set of free leaflets to help horse owners understand these two conditions, as well as what to do if laminitis strikes and how to spot its often-subtle symptoms."
Email Redwings or call 01508 481008 to order your free copy of the laminitis pack.
With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
