NiceChristmasBaubles
Well-Known Member
Sorry in advance if this is long.
I noticed yesterday that my 13'3" part arab gelding (17 years old) had some brown/red marks on the toes of his front hooves. These could have been there for ages, but now I've noticed them, of course I am worrying about them.
I guess the thing I am most concerned about is whether they are an indication that he has had/is having a bout a laminitis. Or something else? I have never actually experienced laminitis and he is displaying no other symptoms, but I think that there can sometimes be some blood produced and was wondering whether this is what I am seeing on his toes. Sorry if this sounds totally stupid, I am just grasping at straws here.
He apparently had laminitis before the people I bought him from got him (so 4 or more years ago). I am especially careful about his care/feeding etc. He has soaked hay, a scoop of hi fi lite am and pm, and a couple of handfuls of hi fibre nuts, although hasn't been having these the past couple of weeks as he hasn't been ridden due to the weather. When the weather was really bad he also had horsehage in the field - but the blue lami friendly one and not more than around a section a day. I am also careful about turning out on sunny frosty mornings, but will turn out on days when the frost doesn't lift at all.
I understand that laminitis can arise from concussion and the ground has been terribly hard and frozen recently. But as mine have been out every day even in the bad weather, he hasn't been going mad, maybe the odd trot and canter round, but I've certainly not seen any rodeo antics going on.
He seems totally sound walking across the concrete yard, and my son rode him mainly in walk, but a couple of short trots in the field today and there didn't seem to be anything wrong. No heat in the feet either before or after exercise.
He isn't overweight, in fact he has (intentionally) lost the belly he had on him when we bought him in August. And when he is stood still his stance doesn't indicate anything untoward. He is bright and eating/drinking/pooing normally.
I've taken a few pictures. Really hope someone can put my mind at rest and tell me I'm being paranoid, but it's niggling me.
I noticed yesterday that my 13'3" part arab gelding (17 years old) had some brown/red marks on the toes of his front hooves. These could have been there for ages, but now I've noticed them, of course I am worrying about them.
I guess the thing I am most concerned about is whether they are an indication that he has had/is having a bout a laminitis. Or something else? I have never actually experienced laminitis and he is displaying no other symptoms, but I think that there can sometimes be some blood produced and was wondering whether this is what I am seeing on his toes. Sorry if this sounds totally stupid, I am just grasping at straws here.
He apparently had laminitis before the people I bought him from got him (so 4 or more years ago). I am especially careful about his care/feeding etc. He has soaked hay, a scoop of hi fi lite am and pm, and a couple of handfuls of hi fibre nuts, although hasn't been having these the past couple of weeks as he hasn't been ridden due to the weather. When the weather was really bad he also had horsehage in the field - but the blue lami friendly one and not more than around a section a day. I am also careful about turning out on sunny frosty mornings, but will turn out on days when the frost doesn't lift at all.
I understand that laminitis can arise from concussion and the ground has been terribly hard and frozen recently. But as mine have been out every day even in the bad weather, he hasn't been going mad, maybe the odd trot and canter round, but I've certainly not seen any rodeo antics going on.
He seems totally sound walking across the concrete yard, and my son rode him mainly in walk, but a couple of short trots in the field today and there didn't seem to be anything wrong. No heat in the feet either before or after exercise.
He isn't overweight, in fact he has (intentionally) lost the belly he had on him when we bought him in August. And when he is stood still his stance doesn't indicate anything untoward. He is bright and eating/drinking/pooing normally.
I've taken a few pictures. Really hope someone can put my mind at rest and tell me I'm being paranoid, but it's niggling me.
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