Horse Foot Ailment Archives - countyfairsusa.net

No Foot, No Horse

Laminitis Prevention: How to Save Your Horse’s Feet “No Foot, No Horse” is a well known saying in horsey circles. Good horse care and stable management can go a long way towards preventing laminitis which is sometimes referred to as founder. It is a common foot ailment which can be caused by a lot of different factors. The horse moves with short awkward steps and stretches it's front legs forward and it's hind legs under his body. It puts most of it’s weight on it’s heels to avoid pressure on the front feet. This is due to the inflammation of the laminae which are a sensitive part of the horse's foot. It is usually more pronounced in the front feet. Sometimes the horse will have a fever and the hooves will be hot. There may be rings of growth in the foot - these are signs of previous attacks of laminitis. It is a painful condition and if it is allowed to deteriorate can result in pneumonia or infection resulting in death or leading to the horse having to be humanely destroyed. There are a number of causes of laminitis including: • Prolonged standing on a hard stable floor • Cantering or galloping on a hard surfaces or trotting fast for long distances • A horse breaking into the feed store • Incorrect feeding - a horse that is prone to laminitis should not be fed barley nor should it be overfed • Fat ponies and horses especially those with flat feet are prone to laminitis • It can also be caused by toxicity so pastures should be checked for poisonous plants before putting horses out to grass. • Over rich pastures - fat ponies should have their stable rations reduced and in the summer put on sparse or limited grazing. • A horse that has laminitic tendencies should not be put out to graze in Spring or late summer • Some mares can become laminitic if some of the afterbirth has been retained after foaling. • It is important that a vet is consulted as soon as these signs have appeared because lack of treatment will eventually lead to the horse being "stuck to the ground". While waiting for the vet make the horse walk for five minute to aid the circulation to the foot. The vet will advise on treatment depending on the cause of the laminitis which may include keeping the hooves well trimmed. In cases where the laminitis has become chronic I.e. the [...]

An Overview of Horse Illness

The Ultimate Guide to Horse Illness: Causes, Symptoms, and Solutions Many horse illnesses can be prevented by good horse management such as regular worming. In the world of horses, the statement "a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing" is very true. It is very much in your horse's interest to find someone who is experienced and consult them whenever you have even the slightest suspicion that all is not well with your horse. You may have heard of the expression "the stockman's eye" - many illnesses can be prevented by careful observation on a daily basis. Horses are creatures of habit and each one must be treated as an individual. There are some general obvious signs of illness such as: coughing, being listless, lack of interest in their feed. discharge from the nose or eyes weight loss a dull coat Excessive sweating, pawing at the ground, looking at their flank and trying to lie down or roll are symptoms of colic ( a severe stomach ache). It is normal for a horse to rest a hind leg but if he is resting (i.e. taking the weight off )a front leg that is a sign of lameness. You can also judge the state of a horse's health by changes in behavior. For example when a horse who is normally quiet to ride starts to buck the chances are that he may have a back injury or a wound in Saddle area or under the girth.. These are some of the most common illnesses:: 1) Colic which is the number one cause of fatality in horses - call a vet at the onset of symptoms and that will greatly increase the chances of a happy outcome. 2) Degenerative Diseases such as navicular disease (horse takes short stiff steps) and ringbone which can be treated with pain killers but cannot be cured. 3) Laminitis - the hooves are hot and painful - can be worsened by rich grazing or overfeeding 4) Thrush - a smelly discharge from the frog prevented by daily picking out of foot and clean bedding. use disinfectant to clean out the foot. 5) Ringworm -.A fungus which creates round bare patches on the horse’s coat is also curable but highly contagious so don’t use the grooming equipment on other horses and do not stable the horse within touching distance of another horse. Wash your hands before approaching other horses 6) Strangles - enlarged glands abscesses at the throat which swell and eventually rupture. The horse [...]