Founder or laminitis is a common disease of the horse's foot
that can cause chronic lameness or even death. The laminia is a
connective tissue that attaches the hoof to the coffin bone (see
diagram 1).
The most common cause of laminitis is eating too much grain.
Other causes are road founder (trauma), hypothyroidism and severe
infections.
Laminitis usually occurs in the front feet. Because of
circulation patterns, the front of the hoof is usually most
affected. This results in the clinical signs that are seen. Horses
will be reluctant to move and are worst when turning.
Laminitic horses stand with their hind legs up under their
bodies and their front legs pushed out in front of their bodies to
get weight off the front toes and onto their heels.
The disease, if severe enough, may result in detachment of the
bone from the hoof wall, and rotation of the coffin bone downward
and possibly through the sole.
Prompt treatment is critical. If the cause is known, remove the
inciting cause. For example, remove grain from the diet. Confine
the horse to prevent more trauma by uncontrolled exercise.
Anti-inflammatories are used to reduce pain and decrease
inflammation. Other medications are used to increase blood supply
to the foot.
Finally, corrective shoeing is extremely important to supporting
the foot. Corrective shoeing should be guided by radiographs and is
critical to the horse's long-term recovery.
