When chronic laminitics feel 'footy'

I have always replaced grass with soaked hay and given some anti inflammatory (bute) for a couple of days. This year mine didn't improve on that so he came off grass altogether and lived in the manege (on a supporting surface) for several weeks - but eventually he needed x rays and box rest. After our experience this year I will be a bit more proactive, because it seems from the xrays each time a little more damage was done (sinkage). It depends though on whether or not they are obese, PPID, IR or what is the underlying reason
 
With mine, I get him off the grass for a couple of days until the pulses are gone. Then he is fine. I am very vigilant and tend to notice before he seems footy! His footiness is to do with toxins in his system though as he isn't fat and has had all the tests.
 
I would add magnesium chloride to the diet it helps a lot . I would not feed bute or danilon or metformin as I feel sure they upset the hind gut and may cause ulcers. Also add salt as well. Turmeric is a good anti inflammitory .
 
I have a mini shetty who is sensitive with lammy. The minute he seems at all stiff or footy he gets hay for 48 hours only either in or out...but hay....I have found if he has grazing during the day and given hay only at night this seems to work really well for him and we have just had the one day this year where he was footy. I see it as "balancing" the grass with the hay and as long as I am shoving hay down his neck at least 12 hours a day he seems to cope really well. The grazing is important as he gets to round about and be active with his pals.
 
Interesting reading. My horse had toxic laminitis in April, all tests negative and he has returned to 24/7 turnout. Footy this weekend, and since then he's been in half the day on hay, the rest of the time turned out muzzled. I'm awaiting advice from my vet on how to manage the situation long term as I've never had to deal with laminitis before.
 
Off grass, only soaked hay and no exercise until pulses back to normal, analgesia depending on how footy/if horse is shod or not. Footy when shod is likely to be observed later so is cause for more concern IMO.
 
Forget winter - it is so warm and wet that you have to think it is spring. The grass thinks it is spring. I have heard of several cases.
 
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