First signs of lami?

[amycov]

The little colt (Sec A), who I have found out is 9-10 months rather than 1, has been out for just over 12 hours the last 2 days. A lady puts him out for me in the mornings as if he doesn't go out at the same time as his friends he is unhappy. I didn't know that she had been working 'earlies' therefore putting them out at 6.30am. I normally turn out between 8-9am. So thinking about the extra grass intake I decided to have a feel of his feet and crest. His front feet had heat in them but I didn't manage to get a feel of the back ones as he was being silly with his back end! They were not red hot but definitely warm. I felt his crest and it seems to be fairly hard in the middle. He is not overweight, I'd say he is about right. I will be restricting his turnout tomorrow.

Does this sound like it could be lami? Or am I just over reacting? I have never had a pony that has suffered with it before so I have never dealt with this situation. I don't want to just ignore it in case it is lami and he gets very poorly.

 

[zelli]

Horses often have warm feet, I wouldnt worry too much about that. One of the best signs to check for is the digital pulse, find the veins running down from the fetlock, in lami cases this will increase. However, due to his age I wouldnt panic too much, they do need extra nutrients and therefore he should be able to utilise the grass much better xx

 

[angiebaby]

Usually the first sign of laminitis is an unwillingness to move.

Pottery short strides and walking back on the heels.
Most horses hooves will be warm this time of year.
If he is on good pasture, I would limit it with strip grazing not turn out.

 

[MrsMozart]

Have a look at the Laminitis Trust website

http://www.laminitis.org/

 

[Honeypots]

You are right to be vigilent and check for early signs..good for you

First off...being reluctent to move is NOT one of the first signs as by then they will have full blown laminitis.
Warm hooves aren't a very good indication either as it quite normal to have warm hooves and this also changes throughout the day.

IME...early signs can be things like uncharacteristic grouchy behaviour indicating they may be uncomfortable. A slightly pottery stride.
Find out how to take your pony's digital pulse and take it regularly. If you can feel a pulse then that is an early sign of hoof pain and could be laminitis.
A cresty neck usually means your pony is overweight and IME horses/ponies that get cresty are often the ones that are prone to laminitis as it indicates that they struggle to break down fat properly.
This site is very useful...
http://www.laminitisclinic.org/

 

[MrsMozart]

Don't want to disagree HP, but the first we knew of LL's first bout of lami was him refusing to move - he'd been fine the night before (no heat, etc. etc. etc.), then in the morning he no want to move his feet. Full blown lami attack and three months box rest/x-rays etc. This was January last year.

 

[Honeypots]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't want to disagree HP, but the first we knew of LL's first bout of lami was him refusing to move - he'd been fine the night before (no heat, etc. etc. etc.), then in the morning he no want to move his feet. Full blown lami attack and three months box rest/x-rays etc. This was January last year.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok I suppose as with anything there are no hard and fast rules

However...the first I knew of my ponys laminitis was the classic sign of not wanting to move...however, when I looked back the early signs were there but because I'd never experienced laminitis I didn't see them.
Now I do see them...to anyone who doesn't know the pony they wouldn't think of lami but I know them as warning signs.

Just to add: These signs have enabled me to successfully (so far) rehabilitate a pony who had recurrent lamintis for 3 yrs and was due to be pts as his owner couldn't cope any longer. He's been with me since just before Christmas when he had full blown lami and has not had it since

He's on nothing special...no supplements etc...he's just monitored daily with a weightape and pulses/behaviour checked

ETA...*paranoid!!...am not saying this makes me an expert btw...just passing on my experience

 

[f_s_]

First sign of a wobble with our little one was when his breathing went up, no raised digital pulse, no heat in feet, but just not right.

I always, always err on the side of caution!!! Caught very early, they will make a good recovery.

Amycov, your pony has age on it's side, as a youngster they process nutrients and vitamins quickly and with a bit more efficiency. Having said that, laminitis can strike any equine, young, old, big, skinny, and does not respect breed!!!!

Go on the laminitis website, their advice is brilliant, and just to be on the safe side, I would restrict grazing, and feed.

I hope that it isn't laminitis, but if you're really worried call the vet.

Keep us posted

 

[amycov]

Okay thank you for the advice.

I'll check him this morning. His feed is fine for laminitics anyway as it's winergy equilibrium and he is 125kg and looks just right weight wise however I will monitor closely and give you an update when I go and see him soon.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Agree with the others - I would restrict his grazing anyway - all of mine are on restricted grazing not just my mare who has lami and that includes my big lump of a wb!! Get farrier/vet to show you where his pulses are if you are not sure - that way you can monitor them regularly and notice any changes. As others have said heat in foot is no indication of lami especially as he is unshod as their circulation is better and changes through out the day. If in doubt call vet.

Hope he is ok