Equine laminitis induced with oligofructose.

This research article investigates if the consumption of oligofructose, a type of carbohydrate found in horse feed, could lead to equine laminitis, a painful and destructive disease affecting horse’s hooves. The study found that all horses fed with high amounts of oligofructose developed clinical and histological laminitis.

Objective of the Study

• The main objective of this study was to investigate if an alimentary administration of oligofructose (OF) could induce laminitis in horses. The researchers aimed to establish a connection between high pasture consumption, particularly the carbohydrate oligofructose found in it, and the onset of equine laminitis.

Methodology

• The researchers conducted an experimental trial involving twelve horses. These horses were given a diet high in oligofructose (OF), while six other horses were used as a control group and were given a placebo treatment.
• Clinical observations of each horse were conducted and blood samples were collected at four-hour intervals over a 48-hour study period. Furthermore, the researchers examined stained sections of the hoof wall lamellae (the inner layer of the horse’s hoof) under light microscopy and graded each section according to the severity of laminitis present.

Results

• The study found that all the horses given a diet high in oligofructose developed clinical and histological laminitis. However, none of the horses in the control group, administered a placebo, showed any signs of the disease.

Conclusions

• The study concluded that a diet high in oligofructose is a valid model for inducing laminitis in horses. This supports the connection between high-carbohydrate consumption and increased susceptibility to equine laminitis.
• From the findings, the researchers drew the link between laminitis cases seen in the field and high fructan (the class of fructose-based carbohydrates oligofructose belongs to) content in pasture feed for horses.