Equine

SPILLERS® remains at forefront of laminitis research

vetreportFebruary 21, 2014

Laminitis is thought to affect around 3% of horses and ponies in the UK and the consequences can be devastating. That’s why SPILLERS^®, as part of the WALTHAM^® International Research Consortium, is leading the way with international studies to give horse owners practical support and, in the longer term, to help make this debilitating and sometimes fatal condition a disease of the past.

Current, ground-breaking projects range from practical studies that have an immediate bearing on the day-to-day management of the laminitis-prone, to fundamental scientific research to help find the missing pieces of the complex laminitis puzzle. This year the four main areas of research for SPILLERS^® and the WALTHAM^® International Research Consortium are:

• How best to reduce the water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content of hay to make it more suitable for the laminitis prone, although analysis will still be recommended.
• The role of insulin in the development of laminitis to help better understand and identify individuals that may be at higher risk of the disease.
• The role of blood supply in laminitis to help discover whether the way blood vessels behave in some horses and ponies may have an impact on the development of the condition.
• The relationship between laminitis and obesity to understand further the effects that obesity has on the metabolism of some horses and ponies but not others.

Clare Barfoot RNutr and the research and development manager at SPILLERS^® said: “Our work with the WALTHAM^® International Laminitis Consortium places SPILLERS^® at the forefront of laminitis research. This means we can provide the most up-to-date advice to horse owners to help them care for their horses and ponies better. Such research also means that SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF^® is the one of the safest feeds for horses and ponies prone to laminitis.”

SPILLERSHAPPY HOOF^® is a specially blended, low calorie, short-chop forage which contains all the vitamins and minerals your horse needs to stay in good health. Approved by The Laminitis Trust, it can be used as a complete feed or as a replacement for hay and is specifically designed to extend eating time.