Hoof Laminitis in a Polo Pony

Description

By definition, laminitis is the inflammation of the laminar structures of the hoof. The laminae are the tissues that connect the hoof wall to the coffin bone. Basically, laminitis interrupts the flow of blood to the laminar region of the hoof. This results in a degeneration of the area between the hoof wall and the coffin bone.

Causes

Laminitis starts with an over consumption of feed that is rich in soluble carbohydrates or starch, such as grass or cereals. Rapidly fermentable carbohydrates account for more than 97% of the soluble carbohydrates in concentrates, whereas forages contain only 33%.

Carbohydrates are not normally present in the hindgut in large quantities. The presence of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates results in an unusual growth of bacteria. The bacteria release a toxin which causes an over activation of enzymes in the laminae.

The normal function of the laminae is to allow growth of the hoof by attaching and detaching the hoof capsule from the underlying laminae. This extreme enzyme activation appears to cause the hoof to detach from the horse.