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The Relationship Between Equine Diet and Presentation of Laminitis

Corder, Molly Loy
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1431787834

Abstract Details

2015, BS, Kent State University, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences.
Equine laminitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the laminar tissues in the equine hoof. Inflammation of the laminar tissues can lead to failure of the laminae to act as a connective tissue that holds the distal phalanx bone in place within the hoof capsule. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary predispositions of equine laminitis patients and compare the diets of laminitis patients with the diets of a reference group. Owners with horses diagnosed with and under treatment for laminitis were surveyed in regards to their equine husbandry management techniques. Owners reported age, height, weight, breed, sex, exercise schedule, weekly time spent in pasture, specific grain type fed, specific hay type fed, any supplements given and owners noted if field grasses/other forages were present within the pastures that their horses had access to. After comparing the equine management techniques between groups one point of variance became clear --- laminitis patients were constantly allowed to be in pastures, while the reference group horses (if ever in pasture) were never in pasture for more than 8 hours a day. Such a difference in management techniques suggests that pasture field grasses may be the source of nonstructural carbohydrates (that are metabolized into sugars) that predispose these horses to insulin resistance and may eventually result in laminitis. Avoiding excessive nonstructural carbohydrates by preventing grazing while in pasture with grazing muzzles or changes in equine diets will revolutionize how laminitis is avoided until further research results in a more efficient treatment.
Adam Leff, DVM (Advisor)
Mark Kershner, PhD (Committee Member)
Margret Leslie, PhD (Committee Member)
Leslie Heaphy, PhD (Committee Member)
65 p.
Biology; Zoology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Corder, M. L. (2015). The Relationship Between Equine Diet and Presentation of Laminitis [Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1431787834

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Corder, Molly. The Relationship Between Equine Diet and Presentation of Laminitis. 2015. Kent State University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1431787834.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Corder, Molly. "The Relationship Between Equine Diet and Presentation of Laminitis." Undergraduate thesis, Kent State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ksuhonors1431787834

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Kent State University Honors College and OhioLINK.