Pony which has suffered laminitis.

[Daisychain]

I have got a small pony on loan which has previously suffered from laminitis, he is great for my boys to learn on. He was quite pottery on stones etc at first so have put front shoes on him, but still seems to feel his backs a bit so do you think it would improve him to shoe him behind aswell? my farrier seems to think he shouldnt need them, he sometimes seems a bit reluctant to canter, and i am just wondering wether it is because he feels his feet a bit? Havent had much to do with laminitis so just wondered what you might suggest. He is fine in himself and am keeping him on restricted grazing.

 

[bensababy]

My boy had it a year ago, he has front shoes on and his backs are ok without shoes. It could be the Lammi - i would speak to your farrier and see what he recommends, it could be that he just needs that extra support. Hope you find a solution.

 

[Michelle73]

I've been riding barefoot since October. My mare has had Laminitis in the past and feels sore occassionally and I use Keretex Hoof Hardner, its about £25 but you use it twice a week for two weeks then once a week there after. It lasts for ages and ages. My farrier reccommended barefoot and the mare is actually better. It will take two years before they can cope with stones and may never cope with stoney ground. But short areas of stoney ground won't do too much damage when you're hacking. Also I have loads and loads of tarmac footpaths around me so although its off road riding its still the same surface and we don't have any problems at all. Since seeing the improvement in the condition of their feet I plan to stick with barefoot. Sorry for going on, just really impressed with it!!

 

[ISHmad]

The other issue with putting shoes on is that often it masks things and you don't spot signs like low grade laminitis until it is pretty much a full blown attack. With barefoot there are lots more signs you can pick up much earlier. You can always use pads or boots if the pony is sore.