Laminitis in Broodmares: What really happens
Laminitis is one of the most dreaded words in equine care. It’s painful, difficult to treat, and in severe cases, it can be fatal. But how common is it in broodmares, and was it really caused by “overbreeding” in cases like Black Caviar?
Let’s break it down.
What is laminitis?
Laminitis is the inflammation of the laminae – the soft tissues that anchor the hoof wall to the coffin bone inside the hoof. When these tissues weaken or die, the structural integrity of the hoof collapses. Horses experience intense pain, can become severely lame, and if not treated in time, may need to be euthanised.
It can affect any horse, but broodmares are vulnerable in specific scenarios, especially around foaling.
Is laminitis common in broodmares?
Not particularly.
Laminitis is rare in racing thoroughbreds, and broodmares aren’t at greater risk overall than other horses like ponies with metabolic issues.
But there are conditions that make it more likely:
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Post-foaling complications like retained placentas or uterine infections can trigger systemic inflammation, which leads to sepsis-associated laminitis.
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Over-conditioning or obesity, especially when paired with insulin resistance, increases laminitis risk.
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Cushing’s Disease (PPID), common in older mares, also alters hormone and insulin regulation, raising the risk.
So no, being a broodmare doesn’t cause laminitis. But what happens after foaling, or how a mare’s metabolism is managed, can increase the likelihood.
What causes it?
Laminitis isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition. There are three main pathways to look out for:
1. Metabolic
High insulin levels, often from obesity or endocrine dysfunction, can weaken the laminae. That’s why body condition monitoring is essential, especially in mares who’ve had easy pregnancies and rich feed.
2. Inflammatory
A retained placenta or infection after foaling can lead to systemic inflammation. This inflammatory response is what can tip a mare into laminitis, even if she was otherwise healthy.
3. Mechanical
Pregnancy adds weight, and overweight mares add more. The added strain on the hooves can compromise blood flow, leading to inflammation and laminar damage.
What does laminitis look like?
The early signs are easy to miss unless you know what to look for:
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A mare that’s reluctant to move or shifting her weight constantly.
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The classic “rocked back” stance to take pressure off the front feet.
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Heat in the hooves, a bounding digital pulse, and discomfort when pressure is applied to the toe.
Early detection matters. It’s often the difference between recovery and something far worse.
How is it treated?
It depends on the cause, but treatment is always urgent.
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Call a vet immediately: They’ll take x-rays and start treatment quickly.
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Treat the trigger: If it’s an infection, antibiotics and flushing the uterus. If it’s insulin resistance, diet changes and potentially metformin.
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Manage the pain: NSAIDs like bute reduce inflammation and keep the horse more comfortable.
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Hoof support: Therapeutic shoeing, soft bedding, and careful farrier work are crucial for redistributing weight and limiting damage.
Recovery can take weeks or months and requires careful monitoring. In severe cases, it becomes a long-term condition.
How do we prevent it?
There’s no foolproof prevention, but there are reliable strategies to reduce risk:
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Keep broodmares at a healthy weight—neither overfed nor undernourished.
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Run regular blood tests for metabolic conditions like PPID or insulin dysregulation.
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Manage post-foaling care carefully – ensure placentas are fully expelled and infections treated immediately.
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Avoid high-sugar, high-starch feeds. Opt for low-NSC forage and rationed access to lush pasture.
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Keep farrier visits regular to avoid unnoticed hoof issues.
What happened to Black Caviar?
When the incredible mare Black Caviar passed away in August 2024, misinformation spread fast. She died from complications of laminitis shortly after foaling. Her ninth foal also didn’t survive. The headlines wrote themselves. But the full story is more complex – and more grounded in veterinary reality than online outrage.
Her longtime trainer, Peter Moody, revealed that she’d developed a milk infection (mastitis), a known risk in post-foaling mares. Despite standard treatment, the infection led to laminitis.
“She had a milk infection about a week ago and we just treated it like you do with all broodmares, but like a lot of treatments, it went straight to her feet,” Moody explained.
Veterinarians agree that even with the best management – as Black Caviar was afforded, laminitis is a risk.
Despite commentary suggesting overbreeding was to blame, Black Caviar had not been hospitalised for 11 years, according to Thoroughbred Breeders Australia. She had a history of excellent health, and her reproductive pattern – one foal per year – matched both the standard practice in Thoroughbred breeding and what occurs in the wild, and illustrated that she was a mare in exceptional health.
So, was this preventable?
Laminitis can be managed, and in many cases avoided – but not always. It’s a multifactorial condition, and even the best-managed mares can succumb. Most cases, like Black Caviar’s, arise from rare complications, not systemic failures.
Bottom line
Laminitis is not rampant among broodmares, but certain conditions make it a real risk -particularly around foaling or with underlying metabolic disorders. Good management can drastically reduce that risk, but not eliminate it.
The breeding industry’s responsibility is to keep refining care, catch red flags early, and tell the full story when tragedy strikes.
References:
- Belknap, J. K., & Black, S. J. (2007). Sepsis-related laminitis: Pathophysiology and prospects for prevention. The Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, 23(1), 195-215.
- Treiber, K. H., et al. (2006). Insulin resistance and laminitis in horses. Equine Veterinary Journal, 38(6), 585-591.
McGowan, T. W. (2008). Endocrinopathic laminitis. Equine Veterinary Education, 20(5), 260-263.
