Foot sore/laminitis?

S

superpony

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 October 2009
Messages
1,211
Location
Derbyshire
Visit site
My 14.2hh welsh x has very good feet and hasnt done that much over the winter, hence he hasn't gone shoes on. He does occasionally go foot sore when on stones but generally is always ok. However i hacked him out yesterday and he was very foot sore on his front feet on the stoney ground, alot more than normal. He has been rode abit more over the past few weeks than normal due to the better weather and trying to stop him being at risk of laminitis.

He had it a couple of years ago which came on very suddenly. I was wondering if his feet being extra sensitive on stones could be a sign that he could be starting with laminitis? Or if its just hes been ridden slightly more and needs shoes on.
 
If he has had lami before I would get the vet out to check asap.

iirc, the barefoot bods on here often say that barefoot horses are less tolerant to small changes in feed (ie sugars in the grass) than shod horses.... sorry if i am wrong barefooters please correct me :)
 
Is he sore on soft ground? He could have just bruised his sole a little and is feeling a touch tender, you should check his feet for heat and, if you can, check his digital pulse. If you think there is even a small chance it could be lami please get him off the grass, get him hi fibre food and call the vet.

I went to a very interesting lecture on lami last week and by the time the symptoms present you are already 24 - 48 hours into an episode.
 
Thanks everyone. Going back up now to feel his feet.

Silverspring he seemed ok on soft ground, but he was really foot sore on both feet when hacking. Gosh thats scary that the signs are soo late! :(

Also meant to say, he had it 2 years ago but wasnt at risk last spring as he was on box rest. And this morning i've just found out another lami prone horse has come down with it. :(
 
Spring grass is coming through so definitely yes - there is a good chance this is early warning signs of lami. Check his digital pulses, get him off the grass and call your vet. You might have caught him in time to prevent a full blown attack. There is also something called low grade laminitis - many horses suffer from this. It never develops into a full blown attack but rumbles on and off, progressively weakening the feet, unless diet is addressed.
 
Until proven otherwise, treat as Lami.
In on a full bed, and soaked hay. If he has had it once, and is at risk then precaution all the way!
The quicker you treat the better. If you are wrong, no harm done, if he has it, you have a decent head start!
 
I would get him off the grass asap and, providing he gets no worse, then see if he has improved a couple of days later.
Grass does make alot of horses footy and luckily because yours is shoeless he will feel it right away and tell you.
It may be best that you keep him off the grass as much as possible as he is prone to lami. Once a laminitic, always a laminitic I'm afraid.

Hope he's ok:)
 
Could you make him a small paddock up, I actually find it better then boxrest (depending on how bad etc) The grass is coming through so he could be a risk, I would keep a close eye on him.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top