Hot hooves, a sawhorse stance, severe lameness; these are all signs of laminitis – one of the most dreaded equine conditions for good reason. In severe instances, laminitis can lead to euthanasia of the horse.
Laminitis occurs when there is separation in the laminae of the hoof — where the hoof wall is connected to the coffin bone. It can occur in one or multiple hooves at the same time.
The separation can lead to permanent structural changes in the foot and lasting lameness. It can sometimes result in severe coffin bone rotation and the coffin bone may even puncture the sole of the hoof.
Researchers have learned that laminitis does not strike out of nowhere. Instead, there are often early warning signs and a prolonged subclinical phase before full-blown laminitis appears. 
If you can learn to recognize these early signs in your horse, then the chances of identifying and hopefully reversing the condition before it becomes severe are much improved.
Read more:  https://madbarn.com/signs-of-laminitis-in-horses/_______________________________
Mad Barn Academy is dedicated to supporting horse owners and equine practitioners through research, training and education. Visit us at https://madbarn.com for more resources, videos and articles.