more laminitis worries ...

[notpoodle]

(i'll bore you all to tears soon!)

angel is allowed out in the field again. two hours at a time maximum (and not at all if its frosty!). she seems surprisingly content with this regime (i even started riding again and she's as calm as anything), but i did notice her back hooves seemed a bit warm after riding today (only rode 20 mins eg bit of trotting in the school and then walked rouind the farmtrack). they were back to normal after 15 mins but ... should i be worried?

Julia
x

[doris]

Always difficult to say with laminitis. Sometimes the hooves appear warm simply because they have been standing in the warm sunshine. And, laminits doesn't always give warm hooves.

As a safety measure, get used to feeling the digital pulses in both backs and fronts. If you know what's normal, then you will know if there's a raised pulse.

[tina1958]

Probably not its usually the front ones that are affected most.

My pony had laminitus a couple of years ago so I sympatise with you.

I very gradually introduced grazing and exercise. I used a greenguard grazing muzzle which works really well in the spring (it will be coming out again soon) and made small paddocks which she stays in when the grass is at its most dangerous i.e. sunshine after rain. She is usually in at night but is ok out 24/7 occassionally during the winter. Touch wood I have had no more repercusions and she is sound un happy. Good luck.:)

PS she has slight rotation on one of her front pedal bones so my farrier shoes her slightly differently on this foot.

[notpoodle]

she has had low grade lami three times now :o vet said up to 2 hours a day (it's not usually every day either, as it depends on whether friend can turn out/bring in as i work full time) should be okay. she has no rotation and isnt fat (she's actually reasonably fit at the moment as ive been following the lunging regime the vet recommended to get her fitter!).

still ... aah the worry :o

Julia
x

[mogadoga]

Id say witht the hoof warmth to ignore that unless piping hot. Alex's get warm when out in the sun or doing work. Likewise for humans. Check the digital pulse :)

[Yann]

Just to throw something into the mix both my barefoot horses seem to be affected by spring grass in their usual fields, and Tess in particular has had warmer hooves above the coronet and heels and been less sure on her feet over stones. The hinds in particular were quite hot after we'd ridden the other night. It could be the grass having an effect, but personally if the hooves are returning to normal soon after being ridden then I wouldn't be too worried, just keep an eye on things. Exercise is going to help.

[notpoodle]

would an hour or two of grass (which is pretty rubbish because the field has been sloshed and trampled all winter) make such a difference? it's next to no turnout, or so i thought :o she seemed fine today, but then it was quite cold and wet so the hooves would have been cold regardless i think.

Julia
x

[Yann]

Our field doesn't look fabulous, but there are lots of small green shoots coming through, which I'm guessing will be extra potent with the stop / start growth that will be happening at the moment. Mine have been out 17/24 up to press, it may be that if Angel is very sensitive then it might affect her. It's always better to judge on the state of play before exercise though, rather than after, as working will obviously increase the blood flow.

Just keep an eye on things, sure she'll be fine :)