How To Treat Founder In A Horse
Introduction
Founder (or laminitis) is a devastating condition that can cause horses to become permanently lame. In fact, founder is one of the leading causes for euthanasia in horses. But what exactly does it mean when a horse founders, and what should you do if you suspect your horse is suffering from this condition? Read on to find out more about this painful disease and the steps you should take if you think your horse might be affected by it.
What is founder?
Founder is a condition where the horse’s feet swell and become painful. This can be caused by nutritional imbalances, such as too much sugar or lack of minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. It can also be caused by an inflammation of the feet themselves.
Founder is most common in horses that live in a very dry climate with little to no grass available for grazing—this type of founder is known as “grass founder” because they’re more likely to develop it when they’re confined to an area with only short grasses (like weeds).
If you suspect your horse has foundered:
What causes founder?
Founder is a condition in which the horse’s hooves do not grow properly. The hoof wall becomes soft and flabby, like a pancake. If this goes on for too long, the horse may develop lameness caused by pain in the foot.
The primary cause of founder is overfeeding grain to horses that are on pasture or hay alone for extended periods of time. It can also occur if you give your horse too much grain when he is working hard or being ridden regularly during hot weather.
Other causes include:
What are the symptoms of founder in a horse?
Founder is a fairly common disease in horses, but it can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can vary widely. The earliest sign that your horse might have founder is sudden weight loss or an increase in appetite. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately so they can check on him and make sure he’s okay.
If your horse does have founder, there are several things you can do to treat him:
- Have him eat hay or grass as much as possible; this helps relieve pressure on his hooves and makes them more comfortable for him
- Let him rest in a stall with clean bedding that allows air circulation around his feet
- If necessary, use ice packs on his hooves
How is founder diagnosed?
Founder is diagnosed by taking a blood test, radiographs and doing a lateral recumbency test. The blood tests will help determine if there are any changes in the horse’s white blood cell count or levels of potassium and calcium. Radiographs are used to look for abnormalities in the bones in the feet, along with any joint damage caused by founder.
The lateral recumbency test can be done by placing your horse on soft ground and watching how he walks away from you. If he sticks out his belly towards you as he walks, it may indicate that he has some back pain from spinal degeneration or arthritis due to poor nutrition over time – which could lead to founder if not corrected immediately!
Can you prevent founder?
The best way to prevent founder is to feed your horse a diet that is high in fiber and low in starch. This will aid with gut motility, as well as help prevent colic. It’s also important to feed your horse an appropriate amount of sugar, salt and water. Horses need more than we think they do when it comes to these nutrients!
The main thing to do when a horse founders is to call a vet.
The main thing to do when a horse founder is to call your vet—and if you don’t know one, call their office and ask for advice. If the horse is in pain, give it pain relief. If the horse has diarrhea, give it diarrhea relief. If the horse has a fever, give it fever relief.
Conclusion
In summary, it’s important to be very careful about stepping on your horse’s hooves, and to make sure that you keep the horse in good condition. If a horse founders, you should call the vet as soon as possible and follow their advice.