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laminitis - what to look for and what to do

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I found Peanut in the garden this morning, happily eating grass. As far as I know the only way he could have gotten there is by jumping out. DANGIT! Anyway, he's been on a mud lot/dry lot all winter and has had no access to green grass so far this year so laminitis is a concern. I haven't had this before -- amazing, with so many ponies -- so I don't know what to look for or what to do at this point. Anyone?

Heidi Sun, 04/11/2010 - 11:25

Call your vet right away? I'm thinking they have some sort of shot they can give the horse right away that will reduce or remove any affects towards laminitis, but it has to be done right away. Also, I'm not sure if that treatment is only available for grain-room binge eating and not for grass....?
[i]I have *no* experience with laminitis, so I'll stop right there and just wish you 'good luck' that this turns out to be a false alarm.[/i]

Sara Sun, 04/11/2010 - 23:04

Will do. Can you feel heat as well as increased digital pulses?

I did some sleuthing after I posted and found where he had been hanging out, right next to the pasture of retired mares. He grazed a little pony-sized patch but appeared to have spent most of his time trying to woo mares three times his size. Even after I put him back in his own paddock he stood and faced their pasture in, erm, a rather excited manner. Someone needs to be gelded soon if not purchased!

Morgan Mon, 04/12/2010 - 10:28

what MP said ^
I would go ahead and balance his feet if there's anything to trim. that can stave off damage somewhat if anything does happen.
Sounds like he did more excercise than eating and nothing yet so your probably fine. :D

I let my herd out the back field yesterday (finally got the metal junk out) they haven't had much grass at all but they still spent the whole time just running around exploring. Spring seems to wire their brains differently, in the summer they would have gone out and started stuffing their faces. :lol: I'm going to bring my camera this afternoon, it was pretty funny, especially when they spooked the deer.

Sara Mon, 04/12/2010 - 13:48

He is due for a trim -- his feet grow and wear really naturally balanced so I don't trim them often but I should get him out and do it just to remind him that it's one of those things that needs to be done. Anything special I should do when I trim?

And yes, he still seems fine. Hooray for hormones, in this instance! :lol:

Morgan Mon, 04/12/2010 - 15:25

Oh sorry :lol:
basically you don't want the length of the wall causing ALL the weight to be carried on wall alone. The wall [i]is[/i] the primary weight bearing area and the strongest part of the hoof but they still need some support in the center of the foot. If the ground is soft and if there is mud to pack the center you can get sometimes away with a longer wall without much trouble but if there's a risk of founder you should have it trimmed back short immediately.
Sort of like what happened with Krickette's horse :longer wall=more chance to stress the laminae. In that case it was just long hoof + living on hard ground = flare like crazy. But if you have long hoof and subject it to more sudden trauma you get founder changes. That's what road founder is. Too much weight on wall alone + hard work on very flat, hard ground and the hoof breaks down. I work my own horse very hard on roads with no trouble at all but her hooves are shaped and conditioned for it by living on hard ground and by trimming the wall short and letting sole build in.
So if you have a concern about laminitis you want to avoid the potential for that kind of strain, even on soft ground. If a horse was to actually have a laminitic episode and the hoof was short and in good shape when it happens you'll have a lot less rotation.(and also if they do founder have a sandy/muddy place for them to stand in)

Sara Mon, 04/12/2010 - 15:29

Okay, thanks. I'll get someone to help hold him so I can trim. Silly two year old ponies can crawl all over you when you're bent down to trim them!

His paddock is still mostly mud although they come in onto hard ground to eat.

Morgan Mon, 04/12/2010 - 15:35

lol! does he ever lay down while youre trimming? several of mine decided when they were 1 and 2 that they would show me it really was impossible to stand on 3 legs by falling over. :rofl (or wrapping their head and neck around my back and leaning on me!)

accphotography Mon, 04/12/2010 - 18:35

Hah! Stand on three legs? Shoot, I've got one who will stand on two legs... on the SAME side no less. *thud* (This is the same one that can also kick with the left hind when you're holding the left fore up. :BH ). :rofl