Stop Laminitis by hacking more.
Laminitis is a painful condition that veterinarians, farriers, and horse owners have been racking their brains about for decades. Laminitis—the separation or failure of laminae, which connect the hoof wall to the coffin bone within—can cause permanent structural changes in a horse’s foot, leading to repeated bouts of disease and lasting lameness. In severe cases the pedal (coffin) bone in the hoof rotates downward, potentially even puncturing the sole and prompting the decision to euthanize. But get this: Watchful handlers can actually detect signs of laminitis in its early stages and intervene before the condition becomes debilitating.
As Spring gets nearer, is turning your horse out to pasture no longer an option, due to the worry of Laminitis?
The only way to control their tendency to get laminitis is through a low sugar diet and exercise. Soak hay (lots of time soaking in a lot of water) is the best thing to feed a suffering. as it keeps a good amount of fibre in their diet, which is extremely important. No treats and as much aerobic exercise as possible. At least 4/5 times a week. As the days are getting longer, we have more opportunity to rider, so grab your Equisafety Hi Vis and get hacking as it is a great aerobic exercise. Ride up hills, ride in the sea... Get you horse as fit as possible.
Above the rider is wearing the Air Waistcoat - https://equisafety.com/collections/high-vis-waistcoats
Way back in 1992 researchers showed that “After 2 weeks of exercise, ponies in the conditioned group had significantly decreased insulin and glucose indices, including peak insulin response, area under the insulin curve. As Equine Metabolic Syndrome received more attention, even more studies confirmed that exercise in Previously Laminitic horses appears to have an anti-inflammatory effect. Dietary restrictions in addition to exercise produces better insulin control and weight loss.
Movement is very beneficial for restoring proper circulation in the feet, as well as working out the muscle stiffness created by standing in abnormal positions to relieve pressure on sore feet. Massage and stretching exercises are extremely valuable when a previously laminitic horse is able to move around more. If you are not experienced in ground driving, now is a great time to hire a trainer to teach you. Put up an obstacle course to work in hand. Try clicker training for a low impact way to interact with your horse. Walk/ride your horse while you walk your dogs.
Above the riders are wearing the Cadence Jacket - https://equisafety.com/collections/charlotte-dujardin
and the horses are wearing the Wrap Around - Rugs https://equisafety.com/collections/wrap-around-waterproof-rugs-1
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