Seedy toe and laminitis

[Cai Boy]

Hi guys,

Had my cob shod today (only been with me a couple of weeks) and my farrier found he's got seedy toe and looks to have had laminitis! Wasn't found as part of the vetting process (he had a 5 stage vetting) which has disappointed me. My farrier has told me how to treat it and seems it's been caught early enough, but I'm concerned about what this might lead to long term. Any advice/guidance please? As you can probably tell this is a new thing for me. Have read about it and been aware of it but now it's happening to me and my horse I'm a bit scared!

 

[Micky]

Mine has separation at the toe and has just gotten over a bout of laminitis ( due to cushings and being slightly overweight)..however he did have laminitis before i bought him, as long as you follow farriers advice and he is seen regularly by farrier, it shouldn't really have much affect on him, saying that, look up as much info as you can about it on internet, gem up on it and you can treat or not once you know all the facts....As for the laminitis, look up the laminitis site for information, give him low sugar feeds ( if needed) dengie hi fi molasses free and spillers lite plus mag ox and micronised linseed ( great for coat/feet) is a great food for them....

 

[Tiddlypom]

If its advice about seedy toe you're after, I can perhaps help?

I have one recently with quite extensive seedy toe in both front feet. My previous farrier has been trying to deal with it for ages. I have recently changed farrier to one who works regularly with my vet practice, and he suggested to get the vet out to x ray them. X rays were good (no displacement etc) and vet returned to sedate horse and drill out (very very carefully!) all the seedy toe crud. A week of box rest (but horse fully comfortable) and the farrier returned to put shoes on, squirt special filler in the cracks and the horse is ready to go. The filler is strong enough to nail into if necessary, and should simply grow out naturally. Should be a 100% recovery.

The secret is to get all the seedy toe muck out so you are left with healthy hoof. It is not always necessary to go to the lengths that we had to with mine, it depends on how far it extends.

 

[Cai Boy]

Thank you both. My farrier has been great with helping me manage this so far. Will follow all the advice and keep a close eye on it. Thanks.