MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
Right, been having problems with one of my ponies. He's a 20 yr old native. He had very bad laminitis many years ago and (touch wood) hasnt had it since. However since then he's always had sensitive feet, more prone to absesses etc. He would always hate going over stoney ground for example. He's always been shod (on farriers advise) until about 2 months ago where he had his shoes taken off. A month ago we had a barefoot trimmer do him. He's been lame since. But its really weird.... Its almost like a stiffness in his joints rather than a hoof lameness, but I cant believe something like athritis would come on so quickly. I kept him in the other night and he was SO stiff walking out. But once on the move he's ok, except he'll limp really badly over muddy areas (wont put a hind hoof in it!) and once he gets going and gets onto grass he almost looks sound suddenly, except for a slight nodding of the head which looks like a front left lameness! He's still perky and tried trotting down yesterday for his supper. Any ideas? If it was general stiffness then how could that suddenly improve once he hit grass? I cannot decide which it is and what action to take! I will obviously get the vet if this continues, but the barefoot trimmer is due later on today so I wanted her to have a look first. BTW, she's a normal barefoot trimmer, doesnt do any crazy strasser-style trimming!