Wait Watchers

Overweight people are an epidemic probem in the US, but according to our vet this may be true of horses as well. We all get very upset about seeing photos of malnourished horses, but what vets may be seeing more of is the opposite. I was told that each of my horses could lose about 50 lbs, which isn't awful for a horse, but is still an issue.

Part of the problem this time of year is that the pastures are high in sugar content, so hopefully this weighty issue will resolve as sugar content declines.
We are restricting pasture time and have cut back some on grain. We may need to muzzle the Haflinger who gains weight looking at food.

We will maintain our schedule of riding and hopefully the weather will cooperate. That's about all we can do. We will WAIT to see if all these strategies help.

Happy Trails, Kathy, Horsedrivensite.net

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