Rehab after laminitis

A

AshTay

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 September 2010
Messages
953
Location
East Mids
Visit site
My rising 10 year old mare had laminitis on New Years Day. I've posted previously about her:

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=568483
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=584931

I think the only update on the latter thread is that I spotted some small stones had worked up her whiteline and had been causing some slight lameness on certain surfaces which previously the farrier had attributed to thrush. Whether this also contributed I don't know.

Anyway, she's now out on barely-there grazing in the day and in at night (soaked hay). Has lost some weight, had more trimming and all 4 feet look much better than ever before (still room for improvement as heels still contracted and tall). I've started walking her out every evening in-hand (~15 mins) on our driveway (mostly smooth but some rough). She had quite a lot of sole removed after the lami and she is a lot more sensitive to stones than ever before (when her feet were "bad" she was a little rock cruncher!). I've started putting on keratex hoof hardener and she's on pro hoof (which she hates). Is there anything else I could be doing to help her? I plan to take her a bit further on the road in hand this weekend and maybe ride her lightly in the school (soft surface).

I will try and get some pictures of her feet at the weekend as would welcome comments on them.
 
To try and improve her overall foot balance. She recovered from the lami (was a mild attack but an attack nonetheless) very quickly and xrays showed no changes in her foot. She did have a lot of sole (and he could probably have removed more).
I agree it was a strange thing to do but was all done on vets advice (2 vets actually).
 
If she has had her sole thinned she will definitely need protection. Boots and pads will protect and help her comfort.
These pads cut to shape (slightly larger than hoof imprint) and taped on make a good temporary measure. http://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk/Pads/EPS-4-lb-Pads
Here's an idea how to tape them on. Ignore the comments about toe rockering etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOU9HE9Payg

I am assuming she isn't shod btw. If her sole has been thinned at the front of the hoof do be aware she will need to stay off any stony ground without good sole protection.

ps. I find a stout bread knife good for cutting the pads after I've drawn round the hoof.
 
amandap said:
If she has had her sole thinned she will definitely need protection. Boots and pads will protect and help her comfort.
These pads cut to shape (slightly larger than hoof imprint) and taped on make a good temporary measure. http://www.equinepodiatrysupplies.co.uk/Pads/EPS-4-lb-Pads
Here's an idea how to tape them on. Ignore the comments about toe rockering etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOU9HE9Payg

I am assuming she isn't shod btw. If her sole has been thinned at the front of the hoof do be aware she will need to stay off any stony ground without good sole protection.

ps. I find a stout bread knife good for cutting the pads after I've drawn round the hoof.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this but are pads really necessary in this case? Although she's more senstive to stones than she's ever been she's not footy on uneven ground and small stones, just the odd reaction if she stands on a larger stone whereas before she'd walk over anything. The first part of the drive is quite stoney and she's not struggling at all on it. I don't want to overly protect her feet to the extent that she always need pads and I've heard that work on hard surfaces will strengthen feet. The vet made no mention of pads and just said to build her up gradually.
 
I would work her on any surfaces she's 100% comfy on, but steer clear of anything she isn't.

Was it sole callous or live sole that was removed? I assume callous, if this is the case then it's just a case of keeping her comfy and gentle stimulation until she's built the callous back up. If live sole then change your vets ;).
 
You're the one there who can judge. However, rehab requires comfortable walking so if you don't think they're necessary keep to surfaces she is walking confidently on is my suggestion.
Btw. my laminitic pony had pads for a while but storms about now with no protection, so no they don't need them forever.
 
TwoStroke said:
I would work her on any surfaces she's 100% comfy on, but steer clear of anything she isn't.

Was it sole callous or live sole that was removed? I assume callous, if this is the case then it's just a case of keeping her comfy and gentle stimulation until she's built the callous back up. If live sole then change your vets ;).
Click to expand...

Just callous I think - she certainly wasn't ouchy afterwards, and she had sort of high heels so was more around the bars I think. Hard to describe. Other than shape, the colour didn't look alarmingly different so assume not live sole.

amandap said:
You're the one there who can judge. However, rehab requires comfortable walking so if you don't think they're necessary keep to surfaces she is walking confidently on is my suggestion.
Btw. my laminitic pony had pads for a while but storms about now with no protection, so no they don't need them forever.
Click to expand...

OK. She's certainly comfortable unless she lands on a biggish stone so will take extra care to keep her waway from them and spend more time on the smooth tarmac. Reassuring that pad use doesn't end up becomming a necessity after initial use.
Thank you!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top