Laminitis query

D

Dwen

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Mar 1, 2002
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One week ago I moved yards for full turnout. The yard owner recommends I look out for Laminitis as the grass is very good.

Can any-one tell me the very first signs of laminitis I should look for.

Thankx lots
 
They become very reluctant to move and drop their weight back onto the heels to relieve pressure on the foot. Feet are ususally hot. Pony is usually very under the weather and miserable. Best method is to avoid it if possible. Restrict the grazing at first and gradually build up the hours out. Often seems to be a trigger if there are frosty mornings ( I think it has something to do with altered sugar balance in the grass if my hazy memeory serves me right). Lots of exercise to stop them becoming tubby and keep a close eye on their weight. Correct foot balance is also very important and try to avoid concussive exercise such as excessive trotting on roads.
 
The first sign is shifting weight from side to side and a pottery action. If you ride the pony you will that the stride is shorter and tentative. Next comes the weight bearing on the heels. Prevention is much better than cure. If the grass is rich and the pony native and small a few hours grazing a day will be plenty.
 
They will also have a strong digital pulse - this is the pulse that can be felt just under the fetlock - usually you won't feel it much if at all, but a laminitics pulse will be strong and obvious
 
signs that it might be on the way before they go lame are general weight gain, particularly if they have a solid fatty crest in their neck, or pads of fat on the shoulders - you'll notice bluges in front of the saddle when you ride. as well as learning what your horse's digital pulse feels like, find out how warm their feet normally are, as this varies a lot between horses.
 
Keeping a look out is one thing, but preventing it is better!

As somoene else said, if you're moving your horse to lush grass, you should begin by turning out only several hours a day until he becomes accustomed to the rich stuff. Suddenly giving your horse access to very rich food is a VERY risky proposition.
 
One of the girls on our yard bought a Greenguard muzzle last year when he old pony got a touch of laminitis for the first time ever (too much grass, and not enough exercise during the summer hols when the kids were on holiday). He hated it at first but got used to it after a week or two. She hates putting it on him ,but at least it means he can go out with his friends and get some exercise in the field, rather than being cooped up in his stable on a diet.
 
My farrier says that if the growth rings around the hoof are wider at the heel than the toe than the horse is more likely to be prone to laminitis. If you've got lots of grass it might be worth investing in some electric fencing so you can strip graze.
 
Some very good advice given to you here. The only thing I have to add is that a few years ago (before I bought Rhi) I used to own a pony that sufered slight laminitis I was told. The yard that I was at turned our ponies out in April , I then went on holiday the first two weeks in May. Merlin seemed alright when I got back there were no signs of laminits. I then went out for a hack with a couple of people from the yard, I tried to get Merlin to try a little jump (I was feeling brave that day) but he did not and clipped his back foot. For the rest of the ride he seemed fine. When I got back and turned him out he looked slightly lame in his back leg so having asked the lad I had gone out with what he thought he said that maybe he had pulled a muscle, to give Merl a few days off. This I did and he seemed not to get any better. So brought him in and he seemed to get better, put him out and he got worse. I then brought him in believing a few days rest would help. At the same time the farrier was due and he told me he had laminitis in his back legs. There was no sign to tell me this. No stance or anything just looked lame. I called the vet and he came out to confirm this. I now keep Rhi off the grass and in a small paddock with little grass as much as poss from May-August. Due to the large number of horses on our yard wanting to use the paddock we have to have a rota.


HTH
 
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