Did Secretariat Have Laminitis?

Secretariat first contracted laminitis, a condition that often affects older and heavier horses, Sept. 4. His condition improved gradually and he was able to graze in his paddock each day, but his condition deteriorated suddenly Tuesday.

How long did Secretariat have laminitis?

Racing legend Secretariat was put down on Oct. 4, 1989, at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Kentucky, after a month-long battle with laminitis. He was 19.

What caused laminitis in Secretariat?

As laminitis is a major life-threatening disease in horses, Dr. Swerczek's research focused on nitrate toxicity as a suspected cause of laminitis, a suspected cause of the very laminitis that affected Secretariat, causing his premature death.