Can a farrier spot laminitis from trimming a horse feet?

[Anna2015]

New pony last monday got a huge fat crest. Biggest I have ever seen. 2nd day I had him I called the farrier out to give him a trim and he said feet are good.

A few people have said they only have seen crests that big in ponies with sever laminitis. I'm going to get vet out and see about getting bloods done Thursday.

He doesn't seem foot sore. He belly is trim. He was galloping around the field first day he came. But now I'm worried because of how big his crest actually is.... would the farrier have seen signs ? Or can there be no signs?

 

[Mince Pie]

Would expect farrier to use hoof testers if you mentioned being worried about lami? Personally I call the farrier before the vet if I suspect a foot problem, after all that is their specialised field.

 

[KrujaaLass]

Yes. Your farrier should spot the signs of early laminitis

 

[JillA]

And you maybe need to learn to check his digital pulses to check what is normal for him and when they are raised which is a good check for foot pain and therefore laminitis.

 

[peaceandquiet1]

His crest will make him prone to it but doesn't mean he has it.....might be signs of other disorders though so speak with vet and farrier re diet exercise possibly bloods if any concerns. Farrier most certainly will see signs. Monitoring pulses as above is also wise.

 

[Red-1]

If your pony currently had lami, then I would expect the farrier to have realised and told you.

The trouble is with lami, it can come on very quickly, so you can't rely on the farrier to tell you in time, as it may come on after he has seen it.

If your pony is of the type liable to succumb, then I would contact your vet so they can come and advise re health and welfare.

 

[Mongoose11]

Just because your pony looks like a potential lami case does not mean he has it. Any farrier would have spotted signs of it in the feet so it seems like he is ok for now. Get the pony on a diet and get it moving before he does fall ill.

 

[Pebble101]

You can't always see signs of it in the feet in early stages. Mine had it but never reacted to hoof testers. Although most do some don't, particularly those with larger feet (also confirmed by my equine vets).

 

[Equi]

Severe obesity does not always mean laminitis. The skinniest horses in the world can have it. It's about diet.

 

[pansymouse]

Your farrier can not only tell if your horse has laminitis at the time of the trim, he can also tell if they've had it in the pass. When I first got my mare my farrier told me she has had laminitis in the past so I watch her carefully, check her pulses daily and muzzle her in the summer. I've detected raise pulses a handful of times but by managing her diet I've been able to get them, back down usually within 12 hours.

 

[Goldenstar]

Severe obesity does not always mean laminitis. The skinniest horses in the world can have it. It's about diet.

But severe obesity always means health problems , so OP get your horse on a strict diet and get it gently moving exercise twice daily but carefully as if he's on the cusp of an attack it might just trigger it .
So start with walk on a soft surface and build up slowly .
If you are inexperianced get some advice from a vet partcularily if you have not felt the digital pulses before .

 

[peaceandquiet1]

Diet is a factor but it is the individual's response which matters. Prolonged periods of obesity will predispose horses to Equine Metabolic Syndrome and episodes of laminitis. The fat pads are the clue and the risk factor.