Exercising a Horse with Laminitis

A client who is taking her horse through a Skode's Connection Consultation wrote to me today.  Her horse is recovering from laminitis and the woman, who wants perfect health for her horse -- as quickly as possible -- is hand walking her horse in boots and pads. I used to do that.

Now I have learned that patience is often the quickest path to healing. Here is what I wrote to our client about exercising the lamintic horse:

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When a horse has experienced laminitis, that means the tissues in the foot have been inflamed. That is why the horse is sore. The inflammation can weaken and even tear these tissues, leading to founder or at the very least, chronic laminitis.

 

Movement in a healthy horse promotes circulation. Movement in a horse with laminitis, however, can -- and often does -- worsen existing inflammation. Only the horse can gauge its own comfort level, which he/she can do very well --  if allowed to do so.

 

To provide this allowance it is best to give the horse freedom to move as it pleases 24/7, as well as a soft, cozy place to rest and heal. Stalling at night during convalescence is okay in my experience, as many horses lie down for several hours then to sleep and encouragment of this rest is beneficial.

 

Hand walking is forced exercise that is not advised until the inflammation is totally gone. You will not know that is the case until your horse is off of all anti-inflammatories (including herbal) and is walking on her own -- without boots -- in complete comfort. Until then, provide the horse with the natural herbs and remedies he needs to heal, as well as the boots and pads that the internal structures of the horse's hoof need to stablize.

 

When human agendas are dropped and horses are given the time they need to heal in the beginning, the healing will, in the long-term, be much faster and long-lasting.

 

SKODE

 

Comments

[equine laminitis]

Great information, very helpful. My horse hasn't had laminitis before but I'm glad I know this now in case it does in the future. I love your website keep up the good work.