The AAEP Discusses Laminitis In Horses - #032 The Horse's Advocate Podcast

On October 13th, 2021, The American Association Of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) had a virtual meeting of 4 professionals caring for horses suffering from laminitis. This disease is a crippling and often life-ending painful affliction of horses' hooves. I attended to update myself with new information I could pass on to the listeners of this podcast.

Discussions revolved around the determinants of severity from diagnostic images. It involved high-resolution X-rays with specific measurements, venograms (images of the blood flow in the hoof), and even advanced imaging machines practitioners don't have access to (PET scans). In addition, they discussed the application of supportive therapeutic horseshoes and cushioned boots. They further discussed the benefits of cold therapy, shoeing angles and even deep digital tenotomy (cutting of the deep digital flexor tendon) and their relevance and effectiveness.

There were two mentions of nutrition. The first was a brief comment about the need to reduce insulin production. The second was an increased survival rate associated with a higher hoof growth rate. First, however, there needed to be a mention of how to do these in horses, which they never addressed.

I review how insulin is involved in response to nutrition as well as the role of protein in the development of hooves. Preventing laminitis is far better than curing it, and restoring the hoof to the original configuration after destroying the laminae is impossible. While these professional presenters are the ones to seek out when laminitis strikes, ALL practitioners (vets and farriers) would love the day they never see another case of laminitis. This podcast is about doing just that.

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