Laminitis or Founder in the Horse

Synopsis: Orthodox philosophy and treatment of Laminitis or Founder in the horse is presented with Holistic approach and theory of cause, with case study presented.

Veterinary School Text book definition: " Founder or laminitis is primarily a non-infectious inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the hoof, most frequently affecting the forefeet, sometimes all 4 feet and less frequently, one foot. Inflammation in one foot usually occurs when its opposite is unable to sustain weight. Rarely are the hind feet alone involved. The disease is associated with digestive disturbances with impaction of the cecum and great colon a contributing cause. Overloading of the digestive tract with great quantitities of grains (wheat barley and oats) in an animal unaccustomed to this diet almost always results in founder. Drinking large quantities of cold water when overheated contributes to the disease. Symptoms are extreme pain in affected feet. "

Founder occurs as an acute onset, or chronic condition.
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Acute founder occurs suddenly, is an extremely painful condition of the affected feet, the swollen, engorged vascular laminae with rich nerve endings expand against a rigid hard horn of a hoof, you can imagine the pain these poor animals feel! The horse resists moving, tends to bear all possible weight on the unaffected hind feet. The hoof shows increased temperature and the digital pulse is prominent. Many times these animals go down, refuse to eat or drink. The prognosis is guarded.

Traditional treatment involves:

1. Removal of shoes and keeping the horse's feet in cold water or ice boots
2. Blood transfusions from a normal animal (250 cc. 3 a day for 2-3 days)
3. Antihistamines (because many researchers feel histamine is released as part of the syndrome of the disturbed digestive system. Histamine produces widespread inflammation, heat and swelling in targeted tissues).
4. Corticosteroids are administered to reduce the inflammatory process.
5. Elimination of most grains from diet and substitution of wheat bran and laxatives
6. Grooving the hoof walls with ¼ inch wide vertical grooves, 1-½ inches apart to relieve pain. The hoof should be bandaged for 1-2 weeks following grooving.
7. Rest and no exercise.
8. The therapeutic effect of treating acute laminitis with I.V. Saline-Citrate solution to counteract the histamine production, has been reported sporadically in the literature for over 40 years (in English Vet Record: 72 (38): 787, 1960). A solution of one oz. of salt, (sodium chloride) and ½ oz. of sodium citrate in one pint of water administered intravenously gives surprisingly good effects in the impaction of the ileum, or poor condition resulting from intestinal dysfunction. One injection is frequently sufficient to trigger a response.
9. Aftercare of hoof with corrective light steel bar shoe to prevent hoof contraction with rolled toes can be helpful. Painting of outer surface of hoof with solution of ½ pine tar and ½ fish oil to stimulate healthy growth of new hoof. Frequent trimming- at least once a month.

• I believe laminitis results from accumulated toxic chemicals, drugs, past vaccines, dewormers, and heavy metals, especially chronic aluminum toxicity. Aluminum and other heavy metals are a real health hazard. These originate from contaminated waters and feed. There are certain plants that concentrate aluminum from the soil 100 xs more than any other foodstuff. These foods are cereal grains: oats, wheat, corn and barley; and legumes: clovers and alfalfa's. A horses diet! Exactly the foods incriminated by orthodox veterinary literature! How do these foods become contaminated by aluminum? By Acid rain falling on clay soils.
  
  Clay is bound aluminum. Burning fossil fuels for energy from industry and auto emissions produce chemicals when combined with water (rain) produce acids. Acid rain falling on clay chemically releases the aluminum to be a free agent thus being taken up by the roots of the plants growing there and getting into the underground water reserves. When a horse loads up on grains, alfalfa or clover, he/she is concentrating the aluminum that goes to the digestive system, releases histamine which circulates through the blood stream setting up the extensive tissue inflammation in the hooves of the fore legs especially.
  
  Why the forefeet? Because here is the trajectory of the acupuncture energy meridians of the colon, cecum and small intestine. Aluminum also goes to the brain and the nervous system and thus touches every organ in the body. Most affected always is the Liver and endocrine system (thyroid, adrenals, pituitary, ovary, testicle, etc.) It also has an imbalancing of the nutritional minerals that produce illness.

• Electromagnetic disturbances in the acupuncture energy meridian flows, chi or Life force of all organ systems.
  In Chinese medicine, Hoof (nail) is related to the Liver. Liver is the primary organ of detoxification. Aluminum is a very serious toxin. When Liver has excess heat, it passes it on the heart and small intestine. Also hoof will receive excess heat.
  
  The Liver and Digestive organs have related energy links to the thyroid, adrenal glands, reproductive and immune system organs. That is why founder is associated with laminitis, digestive problems, and can be associated with " obesity (hypothyroidism), poor hair coat that sheds poorly, infertility (endocrine) and heart problems".
  Please refer to a case study, "Kahuna" a Gelding 24 years old with severe intractable founder for several months despite all orthodox treatment.
  
  A hair analysis reveals the culprit: Toxic metals of aluminum, lead, mercury, cadmium, nickel, selenium, and arsenic with imbalances in nutritional minerals.

• Acupuncture Therapy: Dr. Marvin Cain, whom I respect greatly as a top equine acupuncturist, treats laminitis with releasing "excess heat" in the Small Intestine and Large Intestine (Colon and Cecum) acupuncture energy meridians at their distal points on the outside lateral and inside medial, respectively of the coronet band of the two front feet. He inserts an 18 or 20 gauge hypodermic needle (depending on size of horse) at these two points into the digital veins of the fetlock joint, lets it bleed as much as a liter.
  
  In so doing, pressure is relieved in the foot structures and "cleansing from within" is accomplished with fresh oxygenated blood being permitted to flow through the area. He also acupunctures and balances Liver points. He recommends lipotrophic supplements for the liver: choline, Biotin, Inosatol, Cysteine, etc.)
  
  
• Supportive Homeopathy -Please see my remedy for Founder Formula 5M which contains pain reliever and anti-swelling remedies, circulation, lymph and histamine nosode and organ remedies Liver, Gall Bladder, Small Int. Heart, Colon and Lung.: give 4 tabs every hour first day, then 4 x daily or more often as needed thereafter. Homeopathy Male/Female Total Organ Support/Endocrine Balance/Immune Stimulant 100C
  
  
• Digestive Aid Formula 30C  for treatment and support of digestive system weaknesses,  especially important in long term antibiotic administration that kills off essential protein-digesting bacteria in the small intestine,  cases of inflammations in  liver, pancreas, stomach, Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome, Cataracts (lens of eye energy linked to digestion), Corneal Sequestration ,   nephritis, cystitis, congestive heart problems,  allergies and cancer.
  
  Contains 30C HPUS Nux Vomica,  30C HPUS Acidum Hydrochloricum, 30C  Sarcodes: lymph, pepsin, liver, spleen, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, heart, heart valves, Colon , lung, probiotics, pancreatic enzymes: lipase, amylase, protease; nosodes 30C Indole, skatol, tryptophan.
  
  
• Yellow Color therapy to help heal the Liver and Digestive System.
  
  
• Removal of heavy metals with Dr. Dodd's Homeopathic nosode 3 bottle Detox Heavy Metals Formula with detailed instructions. For specific drugs, pesticides and dewormers I am available for consultation and can make custom homeopathic nosodes for specific cleansing of these chemicals. Please click on "Consultations" on footer of web page.
  
  
• Charging and balancing the electromagnetic field with pain relief with my custom made Healing HalterT for your horse.
  
• Radical Raiders which aids to repair the damaged lamina in the hoof wall, as well as encourages blood circulation and pain alleviation" "Probiotics such as Kyodophilus normal intestinal bacteria necessary for proper digestion. Many of our founder horses have a deficiency of these bacteria.
• Pain Control Support Formula 5M: Indications: for use of reducing extreme nerve and soft tissue pain until the real reason for the pain can be identified. Note: Recommend use with Male or Female total Organ/Endocrine Balance/Immune Support 100C for maximum results. FDA registration number 1300 Ingredients: 5M: Hydrastis Canandensis HPUS; Hypericum Perforatum HPUS; Arnica Montana HPUS; Ruba Tinctorum HPUS; Isode Meperidine Hydrochloride ; Nerve Sarcode; Skin Sarcode

To releive pain and increase oxygenation in the hooves:

• acfounder - Acute Founder Support Formula 5M
  
• chfounder - Chronic Founder Support Formula 100C plus - if founder has been going on for several weeks
• vit075 - Female or Male Hoof Circulation Support Formula 100C 
• vit010 - Liver,Spleen,Pancreas,Stomach Support Formula 30C
  

I must inform you that your products and the information provided on your site, saved my horse from a premature death due to cronic laminitis.

Razz, is a 26 year old grey Arabian who has battled laminitis for years, prior to reading your articles and purchasing your products, I thought I would have to make the decision to end his suffering. However, something told me he was not ready to give up. He sure wasn't! He is thriving on a new diet and the homeopathics and the vitamin supplements you recommended. His eyes are bright, he is happy and putting back the weight he lost when he absessed last month.

The hoof circulation formula seems to be a key in his progress. The farrier who has been assisting us was shocked to see so much new healthy hoof growth he had in just six weeks! I don't know how long Razz has with us, but I do know at this time he is one happy horse!

Thank you, Karyn