04/15/2022
Founder
Laminitis (also termed founder) is inflammation of the laminae of the foot – the soft tissue structures that attach the coffin or pedal bone of the foot to the hoof wall. The inflammation and damage to the laminae causes extreme pain and leads to instability of the coffin bone in the hoof.
This time of year a solely pasture fed horse can become foundered as the new grass starts to grow. If you notice your horse getting grass fat, developing a crest neck, and generally out of condition…pull them off that pasture. Those conditions are the ideal setup for laminitis in horses. Ponies are particularly susceptible to equine founder. Some horses can get so bad that they will never be able to eat green grass or pasture again!
For an example imagine your finger nail separating from your skin. Now you have to push buttons with just your fingernail...... OUCH! The hoof wall is the only support that horses have to carry all that weight!
Excessive grain feeding is also another cause of founder. Consult with your vet over your horses diet and ask about your horses weight! Yes they can be overweight too!
Horizontal lines is another sign that your horse is either foundering, has foundered or is close to foundering! If you have any questions about your horses feet or believe that they are showing signs of pain when they walk call your farrier and place them in a dry lot until it can be determined what is causing the pain. If there is heat in the feet soak them in cold water to try and keep the heat down.
Happy Trails you all and have a wonderful spring!
Offering Farrier services to Central Missouri. Corrective shoeing
