| If you suspect that your horse has laminitis it is | | | | forward so that his feet will be toward each |
| very important that you start treatment | | | | other in the center of his body. |
| immediately. If not treated soon enough, your | | | | Walking stiffly - This is one of the very first signs |
| horse can become foundered and then you have | | | | of laminitis. |
| real problems. Or should I say, your horse has real | | | | Shifting weight - When both of his feet are sore, |
| problems. Below are the laminitis signs and | | | | he will shift his weight from one foot to the other |
| symptoms that you should look out for. | | | | because of the pain. |
| Soreness in the feet - Laminitis generally occurs | | | | Increased digital pulse - You will feel a pounding |
| only in the front feet, but all four feet can be | | | | digital pulse from the digital artery at the fetlock. |
| affected as well. If your horse has sore front | | | | Pain in sole - Applying pressure to the sole in front |
| feet he will stand with his front feet placed | | | | of the frog will be painful for the horse. |
| forward with the weight on his heels. His hind legs | | | | Heat in feet - The foot and coronet will feel |
| will be well up underneath his body carrying as | | | | warm to the touch. |
| much of the weight as possible. He will be | | | | Heavy breathing, glazed eyes, sweating or anxiety |
| reluctant to walk and will have difficulty turning. He | | | | - These symptoms will be caused by the |
| will turn by leaning back and pivoting around on his | | | | extreme pain. |
| hind legs. | | | | If your horse is showing any of these laminitis |
| If all four feet are sore he will most likely spend | | | | signs or symptoms, you should seek veterinary |
| much of his time laying down and may refuse to | | | | help as soon as possible. Laminitis will never get |
| get up. When he does stand, he will have his front | | | | better on its own and if left too long your horse |
| legs pulled back and his back legs stretched | | | | will founder and you do not want that to happen. |