Caution urged after controversial claims about laminitis and diet

HORSE owners have been warned to be careful who they believe, after a controversial message was shared on social media regarding laminitis.

- By ELEANOR JONES

Vets and nutritionists are among those who have spoken out or contacted H&H after a barefoot advocate claimed the painful, often fatal, condition is “not diet related - it is just a symptom of hoof imbalance”.

Independent nutritionists Clare MacLeod, Jennifer Little and Nikki Meggison were so concerned by the “potentially disastrous misinformation”, they wrote to H&H.

“Laminitis is complex, not yet fully understood, but the role of diet is well established. To claim otherwise is to ignore decades of scientific evidence and experience of veterinary, nutrition and hoof care professionals,” they said.

Although, the nutritionists note, quality regular hoof care or farriery is vital in prevention of and recovery from laminitis, “it cannot completely protect horses from the effects of inappropriate feeding”.