By: Dr. Douglas Stewart Laminitis is a common illness of the
hoof and is the second most frequent cause of premature death in
horses. Although it is very rare for laminitis to kill a horse
directly, it often results in euthanasia for humane reasons (the
horse is crippled or in permanent pain) or practical reasons
(e.g. the horse is unable to continue its normal activities). In
addition to the horses which are put down, many others survive
but are left permanently disabled or in pain.