Laminitis misery, time for barefoot?

[Rjd84]

Hi everyone

So my horse had his first (to my knowledge) bout of lami in may, box rested in deep bed with soaked hay until sound, then gradually turned out and introduced to grass.after being sound and worked gently for the last 3 weeks he now suddenly looks footsore again. Farrier said at last trim 6 weeks ago he could see evidence of lami in one foot only, sole appeared thin and he trimmed toe right back and shod as normal. Farrier due tomorrow and having read a lot of research on the miracle of barefoot, not to mention the success of rehabilitating founder with the barefoot method I'm seriously considering it. Vet and farrier prefer heart bar route so I may have a battle in my hands. I'm feeling frustrated and low, and sorry to see my boy uncomfortable again . (he's obviously now back on box rest again!) the one affected front hoof has definite 'groove' below coronet band and sole appears thinner than the other feet but not responding to hoof testers...
would appreciate any thoughts/experiences. Laminitis is a miserable road!

 

[Shysmum]

Hi there,

I would say that the first thing you need to do is look at diet - this is by far the most important element in healthy hooves. Then do some research on here - lots and lots of posts. You need to have a farrier or trimmer who will work with your horse trying barefoot.

Barefoot is not easy, it takes dedication, and BF horses can still get lami if the diet isn't right.

 

[be positive]

A few thoughts and questions, has the horse been xrayed, if not heart bars may be inappropriate and do more harm than good. 6 weeks is in my experience far too long for most to go between shoeing, when they have had laminitis the hoof tends to grow quickly to compensate so by leaving the toe to get long you could find he gets sore again, by reducing to 4 weeks the angles will not change so much there is more chance of the horse staying sound and remaining so. If you go to heart bars leaving for 6 weeks could be really damaging and you need xrays at regular stages to make sure the balance is correct.
I think barefoot is the best route, my farrier fortunately is happy to leave them unshod which means they self trim a little but still get trimmed every 4 weeks while recovering, having no shoes on helps you really monitor what is happening without shoes to cover up you can keep on top of any subtle changes.

 

[lachlanandmarcus]

I would certainly consider it since altho diet and exercise are critical factors, if the horse continues to be shod ESP with heart bars etc, they can appear more comfy while actually there is low grade lami going on and a full blown serious attack building up.

In other words, altho it's more work, you will have inbuilt warning indicators operating as they should to tell you when horse is starting to get uncomfy, and I cant overstate how important that is, as it gives you the chance to step in and makes changes to prevent an attack.

 

[Rjd84]

Thank you everyone for your replies so far. He was overweight at initial 'outbreak', strict diet since - he has lost a good amount of weight and now only has handful of hi fibre cubes with magnesium supplement once a day, soaked hay and access to mineral lick. When sound he was being allowed on bare paddock with strip grazing to the longer stuff (a tiny, tiny amount each day!) was sound for 3/4 weeks with this regime unti today! Be positive, I think you're right, perhaps he's sore as he has gone too long without a trim. I'm also wondering whether I've worked him too hard or whether he's hurt himself in the field?
I really appreciate everyone's thoughts, I'm hoping my farrier will be receptive to barefoot route. I understand this isn't easy but just want to make the right choice for my lad!