Laminitis :: Lami=laminae Itis=inflammation. There are 4 stages of “Laminitis” … Stage 1 is the Developmental stage and most horses go through this stage at one time or more during their lifetimes and present with no clinical symptoms. Owners have no idea that the hooves are in this state and most don’t realize until a month or two after the episode. This is when you’ll see a ring or two ‘appear’ about an inch or so down the hoofwall from the coronary band. This indicates the horse had an episode of laminitis (Developmental) but was able to itself without progressing into Stage 2 Lamintis – Acute Laminitis. Acute stage presents with the clinical symptoms we all dread to see. From there it will either resolve within 72 hours or then progress to Stage 3: Founder. Stage 4 is the Refractory stage. Most horses don’t ever reach this stage as most western/traditional practices will have deemed it necessary to euthanize the horse prior to this.

MOST Laminitis is caused by metabolic issues although there are cases of mechanical laminitis that occur as well.

What goes into the horse grows out through the hooves.