Veterinary Experts Warn Against Misinformation on Laminitis Causes

Equine health professionals have issued urgent warnings to horse owners about potentially dangerous misinformation circulating on social media regarding laminitis, a painful and sometimes fatal inflammatory condition affecting horses’ hooves.

The controversy erupted after a barefoot advocate claimed on social media that laminitis is “not diet related – it is just a symptom of hoof imbalance,” a statement that has alarmed veterinarians, nutritionists, and manufacturers across the equestrian industry.

Three independent equine nutritionists – Clare MacLeod, Jennifer Little, and Nikki Meggison – were so concerned by the misinformation that they issued a joint statement addressing the false claims.

“Laminitis is a complex condition, which is not yet fully understood, but the role of diet is well established in research, clinical and practical experience,” the nutritionists stated. “To claim otherwise is to ignore decades of scientific evidence and the daily experience of veterinary, nutrition and hoofcare professionals alike.”

Laminitis occurs when the laminae – tissue connecting the pedal bone to the hoof wall – become inflamed. In severe cases, the pedal bone can rotate so dramatically that it penetrates the sole, often leaving euthanasia as the only humane option. Research has shown that excess weight can more than double a horse’s risk of developing the condition.

While the nutritionists acknowledged that quality hoofcare is essential for prevention and recovery, they emphasized that it “cannot completely protect horses from the effects of inappropriate feeding.”

MacLeod expressed particular concern for newer or less informed horse owners who might be swayed by convincing but inaccurate claims. “Please don’t ignore the role of diet in laminitis, and please do be careful about who you believe on social media,” she cautioned.

She advised horse owners to verify information by consulting multiple credible sources. When various experts align on an issue, she noted, “it’s probably right.” MacLeod also warned against seemingly simple solutions to complex problems, suggesting that claims of easy fixes should raise “an amber warning light.”

British Equine Veterinary Association CEO David Mountford compared the situation to seeking colic treatment advice from strangers online. “We now know that laminitis is linked to endocrine disease (insulin dysregulation) in most instances,” he explained, while noting it can sometimes have inflammatory, toxic or mechanical causes.

Mountford urged owners to seek veterinary attention rather than rely on “social media’s plethora of keyboard ‘experts.'” For those wanting deeper understanding, he recommended scientific articles from qualified professionals in reputable publications based on studies rather than anecdotes.

Shortly after the controversial post appeared, the Royal Veterinary College equine team issued a reminder about seasonal vigilance. They explained that grass continues to grow above 4°C, and on bright frosty mornings plants produce but don’t use sugar, increasing the sugar content in each mouthful of grass.

The RVC highlighted research showing 90% of laminitis cases are associated with underlying endocrine diseases, primarily equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (also known as equine Cushing’s disease).

“In both of these diseases, it is high blood concentrations of the metabolic hormone insulin that seem to be responsible for causing the laminitis, and diet plays a big role in how much insulin there is in the blood at any given time,” they explained.

For at-risk animals, the RVC recommended diets low in sugar and starch but high in quality fiber to maintain lower insulin concentrations.

The controversy highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in equine care and the importance of consulting qualified professionals when horses display symptoms of serious conditions like laminitis.