Time to Watch for Founder

I am on patrol and on special watch for founder this time of year when the pastures are bright green and high in sugar content. I want to avoid this condition like the plague and try to slowly introduce my horses to the back pasture after winter closer to the barn. Founder, or laminitis is a painful inflammation of the foot. It may occur just in the front feet or in all four feet. In a nightmare worst case scenario, the coffin bone, without the support of the laminae, can rotate down through the bottom of the sole. This vision keeps me in enough fear to watch my little herd like a hawk.

Besides standing in an attempt to get weight off the affected feet, horses may exhibit heavy breathing, glazed eyes due to the pain. The feet will feel hot and there will be a pounding pulse in the digital artery over the fetlock joint.

Overweight horses are particularly vulnerable, overloading on grain, or drinking large amounts of water when overheated may also trigger founder. Founder requires quick veterinary intervention.

So happy spring, have fun, but watch what your mounts are eating.

Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net