FOUNDER
Our horse Molly, who is a 12 year old Percheron mare has founder. She doesnt have it very bad, and she can still be ridden lightly, such as a child or small adult riding for a small bit...horsey rides at a birthday party would be good.
Here is some information about founder and what it looks like! This is something I have never got to see in a hoof so it was interesting today to get a lesson! This article talks about extreme founder.
What is laminitis? Is it the same as founder?
Laminitis, commonly called founder, is an acutely painful inflammation of the foot. It occurs most often in the front feet although it can affect the hind feet as well. Founder is the name given to the resultant tissue damage and complications following one or a series of acute attacks of laminitis.
In the worst case, permanent damage to the laminae can result and the attachment of the coffin bone to the hoof wall breaks down. The whole weight of the horse bears down on the coffin bone, and without the attachment to the hoof wall, the bone rotates down and can actually be pushed right through the sole to the ground.
What are the symptoms of laminitis?
If just the two front feet are affected, the horse will stand in the "founder stance" with his hind legs well up under the body carrying as much weight as possible, and the front legs placed forward with the weight on the heel. He will be reluctant to walk and will turn by leaning back and pivoting around on the rear legs.
If all four feet are affected, the horse will lie down for extended periods and may refuse to get up. If forced to stand, he will pull his hind feet and fore feet in toward each other under the centre of his body.
Other symptoms include heavy breathing and glazed eyes due to pain. The feet will feel hot and the digital artery, located over the fetlock joint, will have a pounding pulse.
Each attack of acute laminitis can leave a ring formation on the hoof. A horse suffering from chronic founder will have multiple rings on his hooves. He might also have seedy toe, a separation of the hoof wall from the sensitive laminae in the toe area. If left untrimmed, the hoof wall also overgrows to form a "slipper foot".
What causes laminitis?Many different situations can cause laminitis. Grazing on lush pasture (particularly overweight horses), overloading on grain, eating lawn grass clippings, or drinking large amounts of water when overheated can all cause a horse to founder.
Other causes include a mare retaining the afterbirth, hard or fast work on a hard surface or standing too long on a hard surface, and stressful situations such as colic.
What should I do if my horse has an attack of laminitis?
The first thing to do is identify and remove the cause of the problem and call a veterinarian. Treatment is given to relieve pain and reduce swelling and the horse is put on a carefully monitored feeding program. X-rays of the feet may be required to monitor progress.
Long term management of a horse with founder requires careful attention to feeding to prevent a recurrence. The horse will probably have to be kept off pasture and fed hay. To keep the foot in as normal a shape as possible, corrective trimming at regular intervals by a farrier will be necessary. Corrective shoeing might also be indicated.
Chronic cases can be kept reasonably sound by proper trimming and shoeing and a sensible feeding program. However, if the horse cannot be kept pain-free, euthanasia may be the kindest option.
How can I prevent my horse from getting laminitis?
Laminitis is a disease that can be avoided by following proper horse management.
Avoid feeding excesses and keep your horse at a reasonable weight. Watch for and avoid grass blooms on pastures; pull horses off the fields and onto dry lots if necessary. Feed hay in the morning and turn horses out after the lushness and dew is off the grass. Keep grain in closed bins and the door to the feed room closed.
Give horses unlimited access to fresh, clean water, except immediately after exercise, when the amount should be regulated.
Make changes to routines slowly and progressively
Pay attention to breed and body types; some are more likely to founder than others. Be particularly careful with horses with thick, cresty necks and with ponies. If you have a horse or pony that has previously foundered, be extra careful to avoid a recurrence
I've probably missed all kinds of cool things here in Bloggerville the last week! I've just not had much to say and I've been sick this week..you know its been one of those weeks. Besides for the rare moments that I have nothing much to say its been pretty busy around here. Norm has about 45 acres of corn planted so far, and has mowed most of the wheat and alfalfa. I havent seen him much at all the last three days. Its kinda like that this time of year. We worked our last bunch of 70 some-odd calves this weekend with the help of a visiting farm hand...Leah brought her friend to stay the weekend. They had a great time and I had just as much fun having them both around. Each time I meet one of Leah's friends I'm so proud of the choices she makes with the people she hangs around with!
Most of the girls were loudmouths while they were being worked, they protested loudly which is funny cause the little bulls are basically quiet but those girls sure like to hollar their heads off!
You'd think we were hurting them, and all they got was their ears pierced with a fly tag and number tag!
This is Sir Loin (or Blackjack as Norm calls him his tag number is 21) Zeus wouldnt stand still long enough for a good pic of him.
Spring is in the air and summer is around the corner. Our Tulip Tree has bloomed along with the pesky dandilions.
The girls rode all day Sunday and the horses did beautifully! Even hot headed Bella! She definately rides better with another horse. They are all so beautiful now that they have shed winter hair. Everyone is slick and shiny! The girls even rode Molly, our Percheron! She hasnt been ridden in over 10 years and really doesnt know anything except how to look pretty, eat, hog al the attnetion, and used to drive. She was a perfect angel!!!! I was truly amazed at how she acted. Not a spook, aggrivation, or ill step at all. She did have to stop however and sniff the boots of her rider! She'd go from side to side, and sniff and you could see the wheels turning in her beautiful head thinking "WHY is this person on my back?? They have never done that! They are supposed to be on the ground feeding or petting me!!!!" It was so great to see that she is such an exceptional horse! She is foundered a little bit, but she can be ridden some and I think we need to teach her what to do so we can ride her!
Buck was at a loss without Bella and ran the legnth of the fencing the entire 4 hours they were out on the farm riding!
Well..hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things soon! Gonna head out with Mari and go flower shopping.....
