Could tree cause laminitis?
Q. My 14.2hh Arab mare went down with acute laminits recently, and suffered pedal bone rotation. My vet says the attck was not grass related as she is is on very sparse grazing, and was baffled as to why she got it.

She is fed on a low protein, high fibre diet. However, she has recently been see eating a branch from a conifer tree which overhangs the field. I know that laminitis can be caused by eating poisonous plants. Could that explain her attack? Also I would like to know what happens to the dead part of the laminae. My farrier said that any laminae still attached at the top of the hoof will grow down and eventually be replaced. Is that right? Finally, can you give me advice on which supplement might help her?

A: Laminitis is caused by an interference with the blood supply to the foot. The block in the blood supply to different structures in the foot means that the sensitive laminae become inflamed.

Plants such as the pine that you mention can disturb the digestive process and release toxins into the blood which cause the blood supply to be shut off.

There are many other conditions, diseases and stresses that can also upset the metabolism and the digestion and cause a similar problem.

There are lots of supplements on the market which no doubt at all help to some extent and it can be difficult to know which to chose. Another useful combination is a good probiotic like Protexin or Prebioherb from your vet and regular supplementation with aloe vera.

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