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LAMINITIS AND CRYOTHERAPY
Applying cold to the lower aspect of the leg where there is little muscle or soft tissues will, in theory, cool the blood flowing to the foot, causing the metabolism in the lamellae in the hoof to be reduced, therefore decreasing inflammation and the amount of blood reaching the lamellae. Right and below right: diagram showing acute laminitis and laminitis rotation (below)
shoeing, and supportive therapy, has proven again and again to be fraught with misery. As an alternative, researchers began looking at ways to prevent the disease. And to do this, they ignored all the fancy fads and went back to the basics: cold therapy (also known as therapeutic hypothermia or cryotherapy).
Cryotherapy for preventing laminitis There are a multitude of factors that can predispose horses to laminitis. Knowing these risk factors, according to Clark, is an important step in prevention. Cryotherapy – which is different than the “cryoing” used to treat splints or curbs – is one method that, when applied properly, appears to effectively limit the development of laminitis. “Cryotherapy should be considered for any horse that is ill or has a fever, before any signs of laminitis begin to develop,” recommends Clark. Orsini concurs and adds, “Continuous cryotherapy is an evidence-based treatment that when instituted early and until resolution
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