01/09/2025
Dancing the Cha Cha with laminitis in a mature (19) aged pony… 2025 you’ve had us working hard to keep our herd well!
This post is shared not to lay blame or start any kind of awkward discussion, only to give an explanation of months of decisions, moments - big and small, that have resulted in a positive outcome and future. I know everyone who has horses only wants them well and that is why I wanted to share our path for this Lucky 🍀 girl.
Jan 2025 our much loved Lucky 🍀 was struggling with soundness with her lease family - people who loved and cared for her very much. She wasn’t improving and an opportunity for her to come (nearly) home arose. It meant we could oversee care that can be a lot to ask of folks who don’t own the pony in question.
It became evident rather than old age and a mind on retirement, laminitis was the symptom resulting in the unsoundness and reluctance to be her usual (read fun sassy not grumpy sassy!) self.
X-rays showed 2-3ml rotation in both front feet. Heat and pulse present, lots of lying down, sadly no bloods taken at the time but I often wonder what they would have been had we taken them at the critical time given what developed over the following months.
At home our plan was to implement a horse track system as a result of visiting Abbotts View Livery: Barefoot and Back to Nature whilst travelling in the UK a few years earlier. Little did we know how important that experience was, sadly we weren’t ready to bring her home yet.
Initial care and management plans included: hay (Rhodes and teff) according to 2% of body weight. Hard feed only to deliver vitamins and minerals - in this case Poseidon Animal Health VM and VET GOLD - Equine and Canine Supplements - Equine and Canine Supplements Hoof Gold. A new farrier took over her barefoot hoof care given the relocation and to support the rest of her wellbeing as at this point she was restricted to several weeks of living off grass entirely, bodywork from the amazing hands of Ang Majestic Horse Functional Therapy and acupuncture from Anika 4 Gold Equestrian
And so began 2025 …
