Not all laminitis presents as dramatic lameness.

 

In some horses, especially those in regular work, the early phase is subtle. There may be no rocked back stance, no overt refusal to move, and no obvious pain response. Instead, performance slowly degrades.

 

This is the zone of subclinical lamellar stress.

 

When insulin dysregulation or vascular instability begins to affect the lamellae, the horse does not wait for structural failure. It adjusts loading patterns immediately. Even mild discomfort inside the hoof capsule alters breakover timing, modifies deep digital flexor tendon tension, and shifts weight distribution across the forelimbs.

 

The rider feels this before the eye sees it.

 

It may present as:

 

• Loss of impulsion

• Shortened stride length

• Reluctance to step under

• Difficulty maintaining collection

• Reduced willingness in transitions

• Subtle resistance mistaken for attitude

 

These signs are often attributed to training gaps, temperament, saddle fit, or rider error. While those factors can certainly contribute, metabolic hoof stress is frequently overlooked.

 

A horse protecting its forelimbs cannot fully engage from behind.

 

Once forelimb loading becomes protective, the entire kinetic chain adapts. Shoulder mechanics stiffen. Stride symmetry alters. Engagement decreases. The horse may appear dull, resistant, or unmotivated when in reality it is compensating.

 

This is where comparative monitoring becomes valuable.

 

When a horse shows subtle performance decline, and infrared monitoring reveals consistent temperature asymmetry between forelimbs under stable environmental conditions, that information deserves attention. When that deviation is not present in other horses standing on the same footing, in the same ambient temperature, the pattern becomes even more meaningful.

 

This is not a diagnosis.

 

It is a disciplined observation.

 

Subclinical lamellar stress does not always progress to catastrophic laminitis. However, ignoring early metabolic and vascular signals increases the risk.

 

In performance horses, a small degree of forelimb discomfort can produce a disproportionately large drop in output.

 

Preventative management, including dietary correction, pasture regulation, workload adjustment, and careful monitoring, may restore comfort before structural compromise develops.

 

The earlier the deviation is identified, the greater the margin for correction.