Mint may help treat lameness in horses

London, Feb 11 : Researchers at the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies are to conduct trials to see if mint can be used to treat laminitis - a common cause of lameness in horses.

Using a treatment inspired by ancient Greek and Chinese remedies, the researchers are to start testing whether a compound of cooling chemicals, extracted from mint, can help bring pain relief for the thousands of horses suffering from the crippling disease.

The disease, which affects seven per cent of the British horse population and is particularly common in Scotland, causes problem to the area where the hard hoof meets soft tissue, reports the Scotsman.

The cause of the disease is unknown and vets are unable to offer a cure or relief from the pain, and thus are carrying out the trial in a hope to get positive results.

Funded by The Horse Trust and led by Professor Sue Fleetwood-Walker, the new study builds on recent work, which revealed that there is significant nerve damage, as well as inflammation, within the hoof of laminitic horses.

ANI