Laminitis in Horses: How Dangerous It Can Be – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
- with the power of milk thistle
- supports natural metabolic function
- with stimulating detox herbs
What is laminitis – and why is it so dangerous?
Laminitis refers to a painful inflammatory reaction in the hoof dermis, in which circulatory disorders also play a role. This dermis normally ensures that the pedal bone remains securely anchored inside the hoof. However, if it is damaged by inflammation, the fine connections can loosen. In severe cases, this leads to rotation or sinking of the pedal bone – in extreme cases, the horn capsule can detach from the pedal bone. The danger lies in the fact that the disease can quickly lead to massive, often permanent damage. Laminitis can progress both gradually and acutely – which makes it particularly treacherous.
Causes of Laminitis: Possible Triggers and Risk Factors
Improper feeding is one of the main causes. Too much sugar or starch – for example from grain, bread, concentrated feed, or fructan-rich pasture grass (especially in spring and autumn) – can disrupt the gut flora. This allows toxins to enter the bloodstream, triggering inflammatory processes in the hoof dermis. If factors such as being overweight or lack of exercise are added, the risk of a laminitic episode increases significantly.
- Supporting-limb laminitis: Can occur when a horse heavily favors one leg, causing the other to become overloaded.
- Toxic laminitis: Occurs due to poisonous plants (e.g. sycamore maple) or moldy feed.
- Infections: Retained placenta or bacterial toxins from infections can also trigger laminitis.
Disorders such as Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) or Equine Cushing's Syndrome (PPID) also promote laminitis. Both lead to hormonal imbalances and impaired insulin regulation – being overweight further aggravates these problems.
What symptoms can occur with laminitis?
Laminitis can appear either suddenly (acute) or gradually.
👉Warm hooves
👉Pulsation in the digital arteries
👉Reluctance to move or a cautious, short stride
👉Rings on the hoof wall (a sign of disturbed hoof growth)
👉Frequent stumbling, especially on hard ground
👉Clear laminitic rings
👉Sinking or deformation of the toe wall
👉On X-rays: rotation or sinking of the pedal bone
👉In the worst case: complete detachment of the horn capsule
👉Marked relieving posture, known as the "sawhorse stance" (the horse stretches its front legs forward and shifts its weight onto its hindquarters)
👉Heavy sweating, trembling, possibly fever
👉Severe pain, sometimes with frequent lying down
Diagnosis: How Veterinarians Proceed When Laminitis Is Suspected
Diagnosis is carried out through:
👉 Gait analysis and clinical examination
👉 Checking for relieving posture, hoof wall temperature, pain response when turning
👉 Hoof tester exam on the sole
👉 X-rays to assess the position of the pedal bone
👉 In special cases: venography (to visualize blood flow inside the hoof, usually done in clinics)
Blood tests are often also done to detect EMS or Cushing's. If there is acute suspicion, prompt veterinary action is necessary – this is a genuine emergency.
Treatment: What Helps with Laminitis
- Call the vet immediately
- Stop sugar-rich feed, stop turnout on pasture
- Cool the hooves (e.g. with ice water, cooling boots)
- Stand the horse on softly bedded ground
- Avoid movement – every additional step increases the pain
- Regular hoof care
- Low-sugar diet, soaking hay if necessary
- Weight control (aim for an ideal Body Condition Score)
- Adjusted exercise as advised by your vet
- For EMS/PPID: possibly medication support for metabolic regulation
- Supporting metabolism with EWALIA Liver-Kidney Liquid
After a laminitic episode has been overcome, your horse's metabolism can be specifically supported – with EWALIA Liver-Kidney Liquid. The herbs it contains can help strengthen the liver and kidneys in their detoxification function, helping to relieve the body.
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for pain relief
- Circulation-promoting medications or infusions
- Targeted hoof correction, especially shortening the toe
- If needed: therapeutic laminitis shoes such as heart bar shoes (support the frog), bar shoes, or padded hoof boots to redistribute pressure
⚠️ Important
If your horse is currently experiencing an acute laminitic episode, the Liver-Kidney Liquid should not be given, as it could worsen the condition. Once the laminitic episode has passed, using it – always in consultation with your vet – can be beneficial in supporting the metabolism's recovery.
10 Rules of Thumb for Preventing Laminitis
- Limit turnout time, especially when fructan levels are high (spring/autumn)
- Feed low-sugar hay – analyze or soak it if necessary
- Use concentrated feed sparingly and without molasses
- Weight management: avoid excess weight
- Detect and treat metabolic disorders (EMS, PPID) early
- Regular professional hoof care
- Sufficient exercise on suitable ground
- Watch out for poisonous plants (e.g. sycamore maple) and moldy feed
- Avoid stress: no abrupt changes in feed or housing
- If you suspect it, act immediately: call the vet & cool the hooves
Laminitis requires fast action and consistent prevention
Laminitis is a serious disease – but with the right combination of early detection, therapy, and prevention, affected horses can be given an active life that is as free of discomfort as possible. Anyone who watches for warning signs, keeps feeding under control, and acts immediately when in doubt can prevent a lot of suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laminitis💡
- Feeding mistakes (e.g. too much sugar or fructan-rich grass)
- Metabolic disorders (EMS, PPID)
- Poisoning
- Overload
- Bacterial toxins
Warm hooves, pulsation in the digital arteries, laminitic rings, and a cautious or stiff gait are early signs.
Only under controlled conditions and ideally with a grazing muzzle. Turnout times should be adjusted according to fructan levels.
When permanent freedom from pain is no longer achievable – this decision is always made together with your vet.
No. Hay can be high in sugar or fructan, or contain mold. A hay analysis provides clarity.
With early diagnosis and consistent treatment, yes – however, there is usually a remaining risk of relapse.
Frequently Asked Questions💡
For problems/complaints: 👉 Here we recommend the course with 6 liters
At the start, we recommend feeding the increased requirement (3 times the daily dose). Stay on the high dosage until an improvement occurs, plus 2 more days. After that, feed 2 times the normal requirement. If the improvement continues, feed the remaining bottles at the normal dosage. How much needs to be fed always depends on the individual problem – i.e. whether improvement occurs faster or not.
For prevention: 👉 Here we recommend the course with 3 liters
To prevent problems and support general well-being: preventively, meaning no increased requirement, just the normal requirement, for at least three weeks.
Not sure whether your horse will eat our products? No problem! We offer you our EWALIA Feeding Guarantee.
If your horse doesn't accept our products, you'll get the full purchase price back from us. How does it work and what do you need to keep in mind? Simply send the products back to us within 30 days of purchase and fill out our form with the details of your order, a short, uncut video of your horse, and the proof of purchase.
If you purchased your EWALIA products from a retailer, contact the retailer directly within 30 days of purchase with your proof of purchase and video. They will refund the purchase price immediately. The Feeding Guarantee can be used once per customer on products ordered for the first time. The guarantee applies to up to two different products per order.
You can find more information about our Feeding Guarantee here in our Terms and Conditions: Feeding Guarantee.
1. Better absorption and availability
Herbal liquids contain the active ingredients in dissolved form, which makes absorption in the body easier. They are often better tolerated, especially in animals with sensitive digestion or poor chewing ability (e.g. older horses or dogs).
2. Higher bioavailability
Thanks to the liquid form, nutrients and secondary plant compounds are absorbed into the blood more quickly, allowing them to take effect faster. Dried herbs must first be broken down in the digestive tract, which takes longer.
3. No dust exposure
Dried herbs can be dusty, which can be problematic especially for sensitive airways (e.g. horses with COPD or dogs with allergies). Herbal liquids are dust-free and therefore also suitable for animals with respiratory conditions.
4. Easier dosing & feeding
Herbal liquids are easier to mix into feed or give directly into the mouth. Especially with picky animals, the liquid form can be advantageous, as acceptance is often higher than with bitter-tasting dried herbs.
5. No burden from inferior feed quality
Some dried herbs lose their active ingredients due to improper storage or contain fungi, mold, or contaminants. High-quality herbal liquids are freshly pressed and gently processed, so the ingredients are largely preserved.
We recommend feeding our product twice daily. This ensures that the body can optimally absorb the valuable herbal active ingredients. One option is to prepare the feed the evening before for the morning dose, e.g. by the stable hand, as long as it is given within 24 hours (especially important in summer). Alternatively, one portion can be fed before and one after the riding session.
If twice-daily administration is not possible, we recommend giving 80% of the total daily dose to achieve the desired effect. For example, this would be 112 ml once daily for a total daily dose of 140 ml (70 ml + 70 ml). Our experience shows that regular twice-daily administration is the best option for making full use of our products' effectiveness.
You can find all further questions in our 👉 FAQS
Our products serve as a supportive measure in the form of a complementary feed and do not replace veterinary examinations.
Yes, up to 3 liquids can be fed at the same time.
