Tag: laminitis

Feeding Grass Affected Horses

8 July, 2021

If your horse has diet related issues, what you feed in the way of hard feed can either reduce the problem or add to it. So, for the horse’s metabolism to ‘rest’ and ‘reset’ their self-regulating mechanisms, we keep hard feeds as simple and basic as possible. Over the years we have realised that potassium, crude protein and soluble sugar content are the nutrients we need to be mindful of. When there is an excess presense they place undue and cumulative stress on the horse’s metabolism. Green feed like lucerne/alfalfa, fresh herbs, willow or poplar leaves and other items such…

Autumn’s classic issues for horses

2 March, 2021

The onset of Autumn; warm sunny days, cooler night time temperatures accompanied by rainfall brings about a change in the nutrient profile of the grass. Having an understanding of how the grass can cause various health and behavioural issues can save you a lot of time and money potentially spent ‘barking up the wrong tree’! The best tool to ascertain whether issues are grass related is to check the Horse Symptom Checklist. Here are some of the classic issues we see in Autumn: Edema’s: Swellings on various, sometimes odd, parts of the body such as the cheeks, shoulders, lower legs…

Is Your Horse Foot-Sore?

20 October, 2016

FootIf you answered YES, then read on to find out why… You may be using an experienced farrier who is trimming your horse regularly every 5 or 6 weeks yet your horse has sore feet a lot of the time. Even when ridden over rough surfaces regularly, why is it that sometimes your horse can trot easily over firm ground and other times they are struggling to walk on anything firmer than sand or soft grass? Each time the farrier comes, you hope they don’t go lame after a trim or you end up putting shoes on because you can’t seem…

Laminitis and Founder – What to watch out for

6 April, 2016

There is a difference between laminitis and founder – Laminitis is inflammation of the laminae (which is the tissue that attaches the coffin bone to the hoof wall). Founder, is where the laminae have let go allowing the coffin bone to ‘sink’ within the hoof capsule. Laminitis nearly always precedes founder. Laminitis is a CHEMISTRY problem, which is relatively easy to rectify if action is taken early enough. However, once the laminae have ‘let go’, it is now a PHYSICAL injury or a mechanical problem which is a whole different kettle of fish to recover from. To rehabilitate a foundered…

Laminitis Solutions

8 September, 2015

Equine Laminitis Solutions – Click here for information about the difference between laminitis and founder. There are several potential causes of laminitis Any major infection such as a retained placenta Some medications Any injury which causes constant weight-bearing on the other ‘good’ limb Standing on poisonous substances Gorging on grain from the feed bin Fructans in cool season grasses like rye-grass The sort of laminitis we are talking about here is that which is most common, especially in spring and autumn, and is caused by the mineral imbalances inherent in the grass the horse is consuming, referred to here as ‘Grass-Induced…