Laminitis does not begin when the horse can no longer walk.

• What actually happens before laminitis becomes obvious?
• What role do metabolism, nutrition, inflammatory processes and circulation play?
• How important are management, movement and mechanical loading?

And above all: What is the hoof itself telling us?

This e-book looks at laminitis from different perspectives, connecting metabolism, nutrition, management and biomechanics with what can be seen in the hoof.

What if we start looking closely at laminitis too late?

Many horse owners only begin to focus intensely on laminitis once their horse is already showing obvious symptoms.

• But what happens before that?
• What changes in the metabolism?
• What role do inflammatory processes and circulation play?
• How important are nutrition, movement and management?
• And how does the hoof change when its function and loading become unbalanced?

These are exactly the questions this e-book explores.

WHY I WROTE THIS BOOK

Laminitis is often viewed primarily through the lens of metabolism and nutrition – and these are certainly important parts of the picture. But at some point, other questions arose for me:

• What about the hoof itself?
• Why is hoof development so often considered only once significant problems have already developed?
• What can hoof shape, hoof mechanics and loading tell us about the development of a horse?
• Why does one horse develop laminitis while another does not?

These questions have accompanied me throughout many years of practical work.

My work with hooves and laminitis cases led me to develop my own perspective:

Metabolism is one part of the process. The hoof is where many of these changes can become visible – and its development therefore needs to be considered as well.

This e-book invites you to look at laminitis from more than one perspective.

PART 1 – UNDERSTANDING LAMINITIS HOLISTICALLY

What actually happens inside the body?

In the first part of the book, I begin with the conventional understanding of laminitis.

• How is laminitis traditionally explained?
• Which mechanisms are considered?
• And where do questions remain unanswered for me?

I then take a closer look at the different factors that may play a role in laminitis.

These include:

• metabolism and nutrition
• inflammatory processes, circulation, oxidative processes and antioxidants
• forage quality, species-appropriate nutrition and bioavailable nutrients
• movement and management
• various complementary and alternative approaches

The aim is not to present one single cause of laminitis, but rather to make connections visible, understand them and broaden the perspective.

NUTRITION AND METABOLISM

A significant part of the book explores the role nutrition can play in the horse's metabolism. I explain how I would approach metabolic regulation and which aspects I consider important.

These include:

• feed quality, forage selection and the significance of haylage/silage
• choosing suitable grazing areas
• the importance of species-appropriate nutrition
• the use of supplementary feeds
• minerals and their bioavailability
• gradually adapting the feeding program

I also present various complementary approaches, including phytotherapy, mycotherapy and homeopathy.

This information is provided for context and educational purposes. It does not replace veterinary diagnosis or treatment.

PART 2 – THE HOOF

Where the changes become visible

The second part of the book focuses extensively on the hoof. Because if we want to understand laminitis, we also need to know:

What does a functional, healthy hoof actually look like? Only when we know this can we recognize deviations from it.

Topics include:

• anatomy and the appearance of a regular hoof / the shape of a functional hoof
• cross-species connections and evolution
• changes associated with laminitis
• the development of the contracted hoof
• the problems associated with upright hooves, hoof mechanics and the suspensory apparatus
• changes resulting from management and movement, hoof mechanism, and different surfaces and footing
• optimal management conditions
• hoof protection options

A hoof is not simply a structure made of horn.

Its shape tells a story.

LAMINITIS DOES NOT BEGIN WITH VISIBLE PAIN OR THE INABILITY TO MOVE – IT BEGINS MUCH EARLIER

One central question runs throughout the entire book:

What can we recognize in the hoof before the problem becomes obvious?

Changes in hoof shape, toe length, heel length and the relationship between heel and toe length – and therefore changes in hoof mechanics – can provide important clues.

The goal is to recognize changes, identify connections and know when it is time to take a closer look.

THE HOOFREHE ALARM APP

From looking at the hoof to a more objective assessment

This very idea also led to the development of the Hufrehe Alarm App.

Based on a photograph of the hoof, the app can analyze certain angular relationships and visualize the assumed position of the coffin bone within the hoof capsule. This can make something visible that cannot easily be seen in an ordinary hoof photograph.

The app does not replace an X-ray or a veterinary examination, but it can help make changes more visible and sharpen the eye for the development of the hoof.

WHAT YOU WILL TAKE AWAY FROM THIS BOOK

After reading this book, you will no longer look at laminitis simply as an isolated problem.

You will gain a broader, more connected perspective on:

• metabolism, nutrition and inflammation
• management & movement
• hoof mechanics & hoof shape
• hoof trimming, hoof protection & rehabilitation

And above all, you will learn to question the connections between these different areas.

WHO IS THIS E-BOOK FOR?

This book is for you if you ...

• want to truly understand laminitis
• don't want to focus only on symptoms
• want to understand the role of metabolism and nutrition
• want to better understand hoof development
• want to know what a functional hoof looks like
• want to support your horse after laminitis
• are interested in hoof trimming and hoof mechanics
• have previously focused mainly on one particular cause and want to broaden your perspective
• want to understand why two horses exposed to similar environmental conditions can respond completely differently
• 
  

WHAT READERS SAY ABOUT THE E-BOOK

★★★★★

Sandra S.

Gernsbach, Germany

I can wholeheartedly recommend this e-book. You can tell how much experience, sound knowledge and passion the author brings to the subject of laminitis. This book finally gives readers the background knowledge they need, together with a comprehensive perspective on laminitis illustrated with numerous photographs. It changes the way you look at your own horse and gives the holistic perspective a completely new significance.

★★★★★

Ina B.

Geilenkirchen, Germany

An incredibly informative book that really helps you understand how hoof mechanics work. Especially when supporting a horse through the recovery phase after laminitis, it is an absolute game changer.

★★★★★

Tanja M.

Aachen, Germany

A very clear and easy-to-read book about laminitis. It doesn't just focus on hoof trimming, but also addresses the other factors involved. Laminitis doesn't simply come from eating too much lush spring grass. Highly recommended! 5 stars.

★★★★★

Jeannette K.

Nörvenich, Germany

A very clearly written and practical e-book about laminitis. The holistic perspective and valuable information help horse owners better understand their horse and provide targeted support. A clear recommendation for anyone dealing with the subject of laminitis.

A BOOK BASED ON PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

This e-book grew out of my many years of working with hooves, laminitis and challenging cases.

My aim is to give readers new perspectives and insights that they may very likely not have encountered before.

The goal is to encourage readers to look more closely – and to examine for themselves whether what I show them can also be observed in their own horse.

Ideally, after reading this e-book, you will look at your horse's hooves differently.

Perhaps you will even look at a bag of feed with a newly trained and more critical eye.

And that is exactly where the first step begins.

LAMINITIS – A HOLISTIC GUIDE

Understand metabolism. Understand hooves. Recognize the connections.

Digital e-book · PDF download · 93 pages · Available immediately

€39.90