Caring For A Pony With Laminitis

The prognosis for recovery from acute laminitis depends heavily on how early treatment begins.

Caring for a pony with laminitis.

It s a decision that should be made by all of the parties involved in the caring for the horse. Not all laminitis episodes are created equal and the type your horse experiences can significantly affect the way you care for him as he recovers says catherine mcgowan bvsc macvsc deim dipl. Bednar and her veterinarian and farrier work closely with each other to monitor the mare s recovery and shoeing and to adjust her. Horses with chronic laminitis can still show signs of pain but can also include.

A laminitis horse will generally eat large quantities of minerals when the salt is removed for extended periods of time indicating their need for minerals. Provide good routine health and hoof care. For a horse that survives there will be follow up veterinary visits analgesic medications and frequent appointments with the farrier. Sulfur may also be an important nutrient for these horses and can be fed free choice or in a supplement such as msm.

If complications arise expect your financial outlay to increase too. Introduce your horse to lush pasture gradually. If you suspect laminitis consider it a medical emergency and notify your veterinarian immediately. Be aware that when a horse is ill under stress or overweight it is especially at risk.

There is a wide variation in the signs of disease as well as in the extent of the underlying problem. This is because the support for the bone inside the hoof is weak and any undue force could sheer the tendon completely. Nevertheless as you care for your horse it s important to monitor his feet for the first hints of pain. Watch for laminitis when treating other illnesses.

Understand that it s simply impossible to predict how an individual horse with laminitis is going to respond to your rehabilitation efforts. Consult your equine practitioner to formulate a good dietary plan. Chronic laminitis is usually where the horse has had repeat episodes of laminitis causing physical changes to the hooves or when the pedal bone has moved. Such is life caring for a horse with chronic laminitis.

If your horse develops a serious septic illness laminitis will be only one of your worries. A conservative added cost estimate for minimal care for a foundered horse is 200 a month. If you notice your horse has laminitis the main aims are going to be managing and reducing your horse s pain as soon as possible. When walking a horse with laminitis take it at a gentle pace and walk in straight lines avoiding lunging or tight corners.

Horses with chronic laminitis can be at a high risk of future episodes. Changes to the shape and angle of the.