Laminitis [lă-mah-NĪ-tŭs] — or inflammation of the tissues connecting the hoof to underlying bone — remains a potentially debilitating disease in our equine companions. Of the possible causes, one of the most common is hyperinsulinemia [hī-per-insŭ-lǐn-Ē-mē-ah].
Also known as equine metabolic syndrome, most animals affected by hyperinsulinemia are obese. They produce too much insulin that doesn’t work effectively in controlling fat. Coupled with a high carbohydrate diet, this can snowball into laminitis.
The process is complicated, but good management can nip it in the bud. Controlling obesity is key, including curbing carbs and encouraging exercise. Equine veterinarians play a key role in identifying and monitoring animals at risk, supervising their management and medicating those who need extra help.