digital pulse and warm hooves

[diluteherd]

Went to check on my new boy today and he had warm feet and digital pulses all round he didn't walk as though he was footy at all.

I have always been very lucky and not really dealt with laminitis ever. Now my boy had been pacing and rushing around before I got there for a few hours as his field buddy went out.

He's quite a lean sports horse and I've been introducing long grass to him over the week since he has arrived.

Nothing other than slightly warmer feet and a more obvious digital pulse say laminitis to me, so I'm sort of thinking as it is quite warm and humid tonight the running around has caused this....

am I right or should I be a very concerned owner?

Thanks for any advice! I panic so quickly especially when its a new horse!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I've been through this with my Vet recently and lots of exercise will raise digital pulses. If the horse has raised, easy to find pulses when it is just mooching/resting, then that points to Laminitis.

 

[Nugget La Poneh]

As mentioned - even walking 100m will raise pulses and create warmth in the hoof.

If you feel they are too warm and there is a strong 'bounding' pulse, leave for up to an hour in a box or tied up (assuming horse happy to just mooch and doesn't stress out)and re-check. If there is still heat etc. then immediate box rest on rations and call the vet.

 

[diluteherd]

Apparently his field mate had been out for about 3 hours and I got there approx 10-15 mins after she went back to the field.

He has had more grass than he would have been used to in his old home but he is strip grazed and looks, although lacking in muscle being an unbroken 4yo isn't at all means fat.

I think it is the case of running around for a few hours. I just worry as a couple of ponies on the yard have laminitis.