Sore feet?

[DarcyMoo]

Following on from my last post 'Newbie'. So Darcy is a pretty much unbroken 4 year old mare. As she is unbroken, she hasn't had shoes on, only feet trimmed. So when I bring her in for her morning feed/fuss, its quite rocky and uneven from the field to the yard. She is seeming a bit sore and when I pick her feet out she can't wait to get her hoof back on the floor. I don't want to get her shod yet really as she isn't going to be broken in properly for a year yet but I will be taking her out on the road traffic training. If its a better idea to have her shod, I will

 

[ester]

No, it sounds likely her hooves will benefit from some road walking.

You might want to look at what you are feeding too though.

 

[DarcyMoo]

She is just on a bit of chaff at the moment. Is there anything I could put her on to benefit her hooves? And would hoof oil help? Thanks for your reply! 😊

 

[9tails]

Hoof oil will not help. No topical treatment will help, it comes from the diet. Are you sure she's not being a bit rude and snatchy rather than sore?

 

[paddy555]

a 4yo should be able to be led over rocky ground with no problems. I would look at the trim to start with. Is too much being taken off?

 

[DarcyMoo]

Hoof oil will not help. No topical treatment will help, it comes from the diet. Are you sure she's not being a bit rude and snatchy rather than sore?

Yes maybe which is why Im not sure which way to handle it. I dont want to chastise her for taking the p**s if she is actually sore!

 

[DarcyMoo]

a 4yo should be able to be led over rocky ground with no problems. I would look at the trim to start with. Is too much being taken off?

The previous owner had it done a week before I had her, so maybe 2 weeks ago she was done. Yes maybe too much taken off

 

[ester]

She might benefit from a non-iron vit/min supplement.

Pellet wise options are equimins adv. complete and forageplus
powder both the above, pro-hoof from pro-earth, and equivita.

I didn't realise she was quite so new to you, also then that terrain might be a bit new to her and just going over it daily will generate improvements too.

 

[DarcyMoo]

Great thank you ester! X

 

[paddy555]

The previous owner had it done a week before I had her, so maybe 2 weeks ago she was done. Yes maybe too much taken off

Have just read your earlier post and seen the pic of your 12.2 grey pony. I think you need to look very closely at what is going on here. That sort of pony at 4 should most definitely not be sore on rocks. The terrain may be new to her and just walking from the field to yard should not cause a problem in the normal course of events. However if she has walked over it a lot or it is a long way she may have bruised her feet.

I would start by looking at the frog. Give it a good poke (being careful you don't get kicked) you are looking for signs of fungal infections/thrush. Does it smell? Does she react if you poke the frog around? Thrush can make a horse very sore. If she cannot wait to get her foot back on the floor when picking it up then it may be painful for her to stand on one foot. To pick her feet up put the standing foot on rubber matting (just a small square), that may make it more comfortable for her. She could be being a bit naughty about picking her feet up but if she is sore I would give her the benefit of the doubt in case it is painful.


If there is no obvious problem I would also be looking at her grazing. Are you going towards low grade laminitis? It could be that the trim pushed an already vulnerable pony towards a problem?
I gather you have had her a week. Did she walk happily over the rocky ground on the first day she came and has become more sore since? If so I would be looking towards the grass. If you think it could be the grass you could get a pretty definite answer by keeping her off grass 24/7 for a few days. If she becomes totally sound you could have an answer.
Shoeing will not solve this problem or at least it may make her sound as a sticking plaster would on a wound. In her case she needs the cause to be sorted because of the long term effect on her health
.
ps I am not sure what chaff you are using. Some chaff's have alfalfa in them (eg alfa A and I think hi fi has) some horses get foot sore on alfalfa.

 

[DarcyMoo]

Have just read your earlier post and seen the pic of your 12.2 grey pony. I think you need to look very closely at what is going on here. That sort of pony at 4 should most definitely not be sore on rocks. The terrain may be new to her and just walking from the field to yard should not cause a problem in the normal course of events. However if she has walked over it a lot or it is a long way she may have bruised her feet.

I would start by looking at the frog. Give it a good poke (being careful you don't get kicked) you are looking for signs of fungal infections/thrush. Does it smell? Does she react if you poke the frog around? Thrush can make a horse very sore. If she cannot wait to get her foot back on the floor when picking it up then it may be painful for her to stand on one foot. To pick her feet up put the standing foot on rubber matting (just a small square), that may make it more comfortable for her. She could be being a bit naughty about picking her feet up but if she is sore I would give her the benefit of the doubt in case it is painful.


If there is no obvious problem I would also be looking at her grazing. Are you going towards low grade laminitis? It could be that the trim pushed an already vulnerable pony towards a problem?
I gather you have had her a week. Did she walk happily over the rocky ground on the first day she came and has become more sore since? If so I would be looking towards the grass. If you think it could be the grass you could get a pretty definite answer by keeping her off grass 24/7 for a few days. If she becomes totally sound you could have an answer.
Shoeing will not solve this problem or at least it may make her sound as a sticking plaster would on a wound. In her case she needs the cause to be sorted because of the long term effect on her health
.
ps I am not sure what chaff you are using. Some chaff's have alfalfa in them (eg alfa A and I think hi fi has) some horses get foot sore on alfalfa.

Many thanks for taking the time to answer. She was like it straight away, maybe not used to the rocky terrain. I will try the things you suggested 😊

 

[DarcyMoo]

Have just read your earlier post and seen the pic of your 12.2 grey pony. I think you need to look very closely at what is going on here. That sort of pony at 4 should most definitely not be sore on rocks. The terrain may be new to her and just walking from the field to yard should not cause a problem in the normal course of events. However if she has walked over it a lot or it is a long way she may have bruised her feet.

I would start by looking at the frog. Give it a good poke (being careful you don't get kicked) you are looking for signs of fungal infections/thrush. Does it smell? Does she react if you poke the frog around? Thrush can make a horse very sore. If she cannot wait to get her foot back on the floor when picking it up then it may be painful for her to stand on one foot. To pick her feet up put the standing foot on rubber matting (just a small square), that may make it more comfortable for her. She could be being a bit naughty about picking her feet up but if she is sore I would give her the benefit of the doubt in case it is painful.


If there is no obvious problem I would also be looking at her grazing. Are you going towards low grade laminitis? It could be that the trim pushed an already vulnerable pony towards a problem?
I gather you have had her a week. Did she walk happily over the rocky ground on the first day she came and has become more sore since? If so I would be looking towards the grass. If you think it could be the grass you could get a pretty definite answer by keeping her off grass 24/7 for a few days. If she becomes totally sound you could have an answer.
Shoeing will not solve this problem or at least it may make her sound as a sticking plaster would on a wound. In her case she needs the cause to be sorted because of the long term effect on her health
.
ps I am not sure what chaff you are using. Some chaff's have alfalfa in them (eg alfa A and I think hi fi has) some horses get foot sore on alfalfa.

So its pretty much confirmed its the beginning of laminitis x

 

[Leo Walker]

by who?

 

[DarcyMoo]

by who?

A vetinary nurse. She has a cresty neck and a strong pulse below her fetlock

 

[Leo Walker]

Then you need a vet out to do xrays and give painkillers and a treatment plan. I thought vet nurses werent allowed to diagnose? Either way, laminitis is a vet job

 

[paddy555]

So its pretty much confirmed its the beginning of laminitis x

I'm sorry to hear that however it is good that you know and are on the ball. Well done.
I guess you will have got her off the field by now but are you happy with what you are doing or do you need any help?
Lots of us have had horses with lami and it is not the end of the world as you learn to manage it. It could well be the mild weather and a lot of grass.

 

[tallyho!]

It's the dreaded autumn flush - I muzzle mine spring and autumn. All 3 of mine are bf on all terrain and yes they might stand on a particularly sharp one and say ow but not all the time. Can you track the field or section a bit off or muzzle? You need to feed soaked hay for a while and get a decent vit/min supp try forageplus, equimins or platinum hoof. First you need to flush the system so to speak.. try L94 bytrinity consultants

 

[splashgirl45]

you really need a vet visit and pain relief rather than asking on here as we cant see the pony...

 

[DarcyMoo]

So she is on box rest. Changed food to Hi Lite, No Bute and nettles. A fellow yard member put her horse on Nettle Tea and has had no Lami in 3 years. Going to keep her in for a few weeks and go from there. Thanks for all your amazing advice!

 

[splashgirl45]

so has the vet seen her? you really do need the vet if it is laminitis and not taking advice from people on the yard or on a forum. you need to establish why she has it and then treat...

 

[tallyho!]

There is a lot of advice and support here if you need it. Many of us have been through lami, it's not a death sentence and you can educate yourself whilst also getting support from the vet or hoof specialist. The vet is not a nutritionist nor a hoof expert but could well help you identify any underlying metabolic cause so make sure you use the expertise as you would any other specialist. Forearmed is forewarned.

 

[tiahatti]

What did the vet say? Hope she is OK.

 

[vmac66]

My mare had lami last May. Its manageable. I had the vet and the farrier help me with it. You do need to find what's caused it to stop it recurring. I spent ages researching low sugar and starch feeds.
Feeding soaked Hay will help and if pony is overweight cut total feed to 1.5 percent of bodyweight.

 

[DarcyMoo]

Thanks everyone! Good to know its not a death sentence and can be managed 😊

 

[Tiddlypom]

Thanks everyone! Good to know its not a death sentence and can be managed 😊

If it’s not treated correctly, and sadly sometimes even if it is, laminitis can indeed be a death sentence as I’m sure that your vet will tell you.

When did your vet last see her?

 

[tallyho!]

Oh FGS... laminitis is basically a horse that has type 2 diabetes! It needs to eat less.. and work more. Like most people on this planet. It really is NOT fatal!!!! Get in this century.

OP please do not worry yourself into a hole with the keyboard warriors. Soak some hay, get him off the sweets (aka grass), do research which I’m sure you’re capable of and let me tell you, it will be fine.

 

[splashgirl45]

there has been no response to the posts asking if vet has been involved which is what is worrying me, and the OP seems to just be relying on the forum and someone on her yard for the right treatment....if the pony does have laminitis she needs some pain relief(from a vet) and box rest on thick bedding, and soaked hay.....

 

[Tiddlypom]

tallyho, I’m disappointed in you, I thought that you usually talked some sense.

 

[tallyho!]

How have I not said any truth here? To be fair I wouldn’t have called a vet but that’s about it.

 

[splashgirl45]

fair enough tallyho ,you may be much more experienced than the op who is posting on the new owner thread and has bought an unbroken 4 year old who now may or may not have laminitis but i stand by my advice that the vet should have been called and the pony managed as per vets instructions and it sounds like the vet hasnt been called as the op has not responded to the questions...