27 August 2008 17:25
My seven-year-old miniature Shetland mare was diagnosed with laminitis and had plastic shoes fitted, however, it took the vet several visits to make the diagnosis. It’s odd because she seems to be lame mostly in the mornings and more sound as the day goes on. I’m not sure spring grass is the issue and I’m not even sure it’s laminitis. She also really scratches her coat. What could it be?
Answer
By Your Horse
Vet Malene Jørgensen says:
If she’s on the heavy side she could be suffering from Equine Metabolic Syndrome, or EMS. Horses who have this are insulin-resistant – this means the insulin released from their pancreas, when blood glucose goes up after eating, fails to affect the cells that would store the glucose for later use. Horses with EMS are usually aged seven and over, and can be obese.
EMS isn’t entirely understood but has some similarities with Cushings and hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid) – have your vet do blood tests to eliminate these, especially as Cushings can cause coat problems too. Horses find it hard to shed their coat, making them look very shaggy.
One of the classic signs of EMS is laminitis, but not the disabling, painful kind of laminitis that comes from gastro-intestinal failure or over-eating of ‘fast’ carbohydrates. Instead it’s a milder laminitis that can be hard to diagnose.
There’s no specific treatment for EMS, but you can help by giving her a balanced diet and maintaining optimal body condition with regular exercise. This keeps the horse fit and slim, and increases sensitivity to insulin.
● Special report on laminitis: p106, Issue 305