After Laminitis

[lisan]

My horse is now in recovery and doing well, but as it is 'sinkers' and the bone is 0.8cm from the sole, this will never change.

She is comfortable in walk now on the concrete, but any ideas on what I can do with an unrideable horse that cannot be turned away?

We are on livery and will have some access to a sand turnout, but only 20 mins a day in winter as its a big yard and as the sole grows and she feels comfortable, she will be in her stable over 23hrs a day.

She is a 16.2 ex racer who is not over weight.

 

[LucyPriory]

My horse is now in recovery and doing well, but as it is 'sinkers' and the bone is 0.8cm from the sole, this will never change.

Lisan - why will it never change? Distal descent of P3 can be reversed.

Have you read http://www.hoofrehab.com/jessica.htm

 

[lisan]

That is what I have been told by the Vet, she now just has to be managed and reviewed month to month. They think she has had low grade lammi for some time and she will never be sound enough to do very much. And the best it will get is if the sole grows thicker and down then she may come sound trotted up.

 

[LucyPriory]

Lisan you might want to get a second opinion. Thin soles can be made thicker and correctly managed this will reverse a sinker. But you need someone who has been there and done it before; preferably several times.

 

[Tammytoo]

Lisan you might want to get a second opinion. Thin soles can be made thicker and correctly managed this will reverse a sinker. But you need someone who has been there and done it before; preferably several times.

Second this.

Have you looked at the lamintis clinic website? They seem to have treated worse cases than yours.

Also, is there any chance of being able to change livery yards where you will have a better chance of turnout? Lami horses need good circulation to continue to improve and standing still for 23 hours is not ideal.

 

[texel]

Lisan

Do not despair; there is life after laminitis for all horses; it is just a question of getting the management right; the right forage and freedom to move, the hoof wall must be trimmed/rasped correctly and regularly - getting rid of the laminitc wedge with the aim of getting the toes shorter as the hoof wall grows. It can be a bit of a juggling act, it takes time but if you read up about the condition and get confident with the hoof structure, understand how it grows and how it functions, it isn't that frightening.

Have a look at Pete Ramey's rehab page for inspiration.

http://www.hoofrehab.com/rehabilitations1.htm

 

[popularfurball]

Agreed - I would get a second opinion.

Dint get me wrong, its a long road that takes time, but its totally do-able with the correct trimming.

The hoof looks long in the toe and flared (elected with rotation) but with corrective trimming, good low sugar diet and some form of movement, its do-able.

 

[soloequestrian]

What caused the laminitis? If she is sound on concrete, why is she unrideable? Have you looked at hoof boots - you can get various pads to go in the bottom of them, and I've used firm in the bottom and then soft on top of that for a footsore horse to hack.
I think for any horse, I would desperately be trying to get away from a virtually-no-turnout situation!

 

[Tammytoo]

Look at this website www.rockleyfarm.co.uk I have heard a lot of good things about them and they are very willing to talk to you about your horse's problems, give recommendations and whether they can help. Might be worth the price of a phone call.

 

[lisan]

Thanks for all the replies, I have looked at the websites and the laminis org website too.

Do not know what caused the original low grade lami, but it seems to be the last shoeing that caused the acute attack. Bloods showed it was not insulin related

She walks out fine on concrete with the imprint shoes, but is sore on the turn on both right and left.

I have bought her hoof boots with gel pads already

Farrier is very confident in her treatment, he thinks the bone must have been dropping over quite some time

Its the stabilizing/recovery time I am stuggling with, as if she cannot go out in the field because of the lammi, what turnout on what kind of yard ? I have asked around locally even been knocking on doors to try and find somone that has a small yard with sand turnout she can stay out in during the day (when she is at that point)

With the bone being that low in the foot the vet is unsure if she will ever come sound again.

She is currently on soaked hay and Dengie Happy Hooves.

Will have a look at the Rockley site too.

 

[LucyPriory]

OP - you really need the advice of someone who has successfully worked with sinkers before. Pedal bones do not have to stay low in the foot! I am gob smacked that your vet thinks it's a one way trip.