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Laminitis is focus
of Horse Trust seminar
One of the most crucial seminar sessions at this week's BEVA congress will be that led by John
Stewart, starting at 2pm on Friday 14 September.
Sponsored by The Horse Trust, which has invested many thousands of pounds in laminitis research
during the past 20 years, it will feature short presentations by Jim Belknap, Andy Parks and Eric
Abrahamsen on the pathophysiology of acute laminitis; patterns of displacement of the sital phalanx
and its sequelae, how to prevent and or manage distal phalanx displacement in the acute stage of
laminitis, how to choose appropriate medical therapy for the acute stage; effective pain management
and assessment and management of the chronically laminitic horse.
Chief executive and resident veterinary surgeon of The Horse Trust, Paul Jepson, says: "Researchers
at the Royal Veterinary College have done much to unscramble our understanding of the complexities
of the condition. Laminitis is a problem for around one in six of our resident population of 100
or more elderly horses, ponies and donkeys most of which are in their 20s or older.
"Routine post mortem on these elderly animals invariably indicates degrees of pituitary gland
change associated with similarly variable degrees of Cushings disease and metabolic syndrome.
We attempt dietary control and careful foot management and it is difficult to quantify the effect
this has in prevention. We certainly see a significant incidence and adopt a protocol for first aid
treatment at the slightest hint of onset.
"Horses that we know to be especially susceptible to a seasonal dietary trigger are also given the
prophylactic oral virginiamycin imported under DEFRA licence from Australia (Founderguard) which
usually allows them to lead a fairly normal life when euthanasia would otherwise be almost inevitable.
"Research funding and welfare campaigning are our core activities these days and one of the reasons we
changed our name. The Home of Rest for Horses (the oldest horse welfare organisation in the World)
continues as the cornerstone of our operation and exists primarily to demonstrate responsible ownership
with all its pitfalls and costs," he added.
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