| Equine founder and laminitis are very similar forms of | | | | and lameness to the horse. |
| the same disease. Founder is basically the end stage | | | | Founder is very painful and is the result of laminitis. It is |
| of laminitis. Laminitis which is also known as founder, is | | | | the end stage of this crippling disease. When the case |
| the inflamation of the hoof and it is very painful to the | | | | of laminitis is severe enough the coffin bone become |
| horse. It can affect all four hoofs, but mainly the front | | | | detached and rotates downward towards the ground |
| feet are mostly struck by this disease. | | | | and can even puncture the hoof and stick outside of it. |
| Laminitis causes the laminae ( the structure that holds | | | | There are many causes of this condition - such as a |
| the coffin bone to the hoof ) to deteriorate. This in turn | | | | high diet of green pasture, walking on hard surfaces |
| can cause the bone to even poke through the bottom | | | | for extended periods of time and even stressful things |
| of the hoof and go to the ground. The laminae begins | | | | such as colic can be a cause of laminitis. |
| to deteriorate when there is high levels of the enzyme | | | | The best way in dealing with equine founder and |
| known as Matrix Metalloproteinases in the horses | | | | laminitis is prevention. Feeding your horse the proper |
| system. This will cause the attachment of the laminar | | | | diet and keeping him from walking on hard surfaces as |
| cells to break free from what is known as basement | | | | discussed before will keep him happy and healthy for |
| membrane. This causes the decreased flow of normal | | | | many years to come. |
| blood to the laminae and the result can be severe pain | | | | |