Behavioral studies in healthy Standardbred trotters subjected to short term forced recumbency aiming at an adjunctive treatment in an acute attack of laminitis
Laminitis is a debilitating disease causing much suffering to horses and ponies all over the world. It is manifested in the hooves as a mechanical failure of the suspensory apparatus between the hoof capsule and the distal phalanx. Due to the weight of the horse the disease may result in a dislocation of third phalanx. Six healthy standardbred trotters were used in this study on whether standardbreds tolerate forced recumbency as well as Shetland ponies. Recumbency was induced pharmacologically but maintained only by lowering the ceiling height of the box to a height of approximately 125 ? 140 % of the horse´s thoracic height. Behavior and bodily functions were observed and recorded during and after the study periods of up to two days. Blood was sampled for serum analyses of CK and ASAT to detect muscle tissue damage.The results of this study indicate that the increased body weight of Standardbred Trotters when compared to Shetland ponies does not have a negative effect on bodily functions during a limited period of recumbency. All horses accepted the treatment well and no adverse effects were seen during or after the study.