Preventing Supporting Limb Laminitis (AAEP 2003)

Laminitis in the contralateral (same end–fore or hind–opposite leg) limb is a well-recognized and potentially devastating sequela (result) in horses with complete fractures, sepsis involving a synovial structure, catastrophic breakdown injuries, and other conditions that cause unilateral non-weight-bearing lameness.
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"Laminitis in the contralateral (same end–fore or hind–opposite leg) limb is a well-recognized and potentially devastating sequela (result) in horses with complete fractures, sepsis involving a synovial structure, catastrophic breakdown injuries, and other conditions that cause unilateral non-weight-bearing lameness," said Ric Redden, DVM, founder of the International Equine Podiatry Center in Versailles, Ky., in a presentation on the topic during the 2003 American Association of Equine Practitioners' convention.

"The mechanism of contralateral limb (also called supporting limb) laminitis has not been well studied," he said, explaining that his observations point to a combination of the duration of excessive weight-bearing and the structural integrity of the foot. He theorizes that the heavy, unrelenting load on the supporting foot compromises blood flow, resulting in tissue starvation and death–there has to be loading and unloading of the foot to allow blood to move in and out of hoof structures.

"If a horse has been standing on one leg for several weeks and suddenly switches legs, it's not because he's gotten that much better," Redden warned.

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Written by:

Christy West has a BS in Equine Science from the University of Kentucky, and an MS in Agricultural Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

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