Worried navicular??

So if it could be sub clinical laminits, what is my next step?? Vet said not lami, but looks like Im on my own here, so how would I know and would he have gotten worse by now if it were lami?? Its been a week? The heat in his hoof has gone now but took until today to be cool. Would this mean it was resolving?? Is the lami due to the hoof shape rather than to grass/sugar intollerance?? I have to admit I am horribly confused and looking for a starting point.
 
To be safe you can take him off grass, feed soaked hay and keep him on a soft bed or other comfortable surface (eg turned out on a sand school) for a week. If he doesn't improve, then you've ruled out laminitis.
 
Well, I understand thats the best thing if laminitis is suspected. The thing is he has improved. He was very sore last saturday. Actually shuffling his weight and pointing that foot. Even holding it up! When the shoe was replaced with a pad he went hopping lame, broken leg lame!! Then vet came out and took the shoe off and he was much better. He was sensitive to hoof testers on saturday too, but after that not at all. The soreness is much much better its only apparent on the left turn on hard surface! The yard staff cant even see what Im talking about as they have taken him in and out every day and he is fine. I really dont feel its laminitis myself and box rest is the last thing I wish to do if I can possibly help it. the clinical signs dont suggest laminitis at this stage which is why I have opted to leave him out. The thing is if navicular is expected then I really need him to keep moving. So its a double edged sword isnt it? I can really only go with instinct.

I didnt know laminitis was related to hoof conformation? Also I just thought he was on a huge amount of very pwoerful antibiotics and antiinflammatories in february, could this have influenced his feet in any way?? Plus, are underrun heels like this god given or are they created by bad farriery?? I mean if he can grow a better shaped hoof, how comes his feet are so bad? Is farrier to blame for bad trimming and shoeing really??
 
antibiotics can upset the hind gut. Hind gut disturbance can lead to low grade laminitis.

Equally your horse could have got a nail bind/prick if removing the shoe made the horse move better.

Laminitis can lead to poor hoof conformation, including underrun heels, thin soles, loss of correct hoof angle etc.
 
Yes, this was all what led to the diagnosis of laminitis back in march after all the treatments he had. Then it did look like laminitis. It was a slightly different presentation than this time and also was in both feet and not just one. I dont think that having laminitis in march could have led to bad foot conformation already do you?? I mean his heels must have been underrun for longer than this right? Also he had x rays taken at the time to check for no rotation of pedal bones. X rays were all normal. This is when the vet also told me his foot balance was good as he could evidently see from the x rays?? Go figure eh?? Now if he had laminits due to drugs/stress etc in march then surely he wouldnt get laminits now as none of those factors are present at this time. He has been well and healthy for 2 months and sound. Its so frustrating that no one has addressed his foot issues as I could have been making changes all this time. He even spent 10 days at RVC and no mention of having terrible feet!! Amazing really.
 
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