barnbum
Well-Known Member
Rosie again--it's always Rosie.
I'm looking for ideas on if this is a muscle issue or a founder issue.
Pastures total maybe a bit more than an acre. There are five horses. They’re divided into five pastures. None are what I’d call lush—the grass is way too short to mow. There are several dead spots from Rounding–Up weeds. Last week it was very dry and hot—so all pastures were open—they roam all over so get plenty of exercise. Monday night it rained an inch. Pastures were left open the next day, but all but two--the closest to dry lots--were closed when I got home from work.
Tuesday: I lunged mares, then Rosie, age 3. She’s learning good behavior on the lunge line, so I was pleased she walked calmly for the 10 minutes and went both directions well. Usually she’s more rambunctious. That should have been my first clue, but I was thinking she was making good progress. At the end of the 10 min her gait seemed a bit off. Not a huge thing—and one had to be watching closely to catch it at all. I checked her all out—nothing. I checked her later several times and she seemed fine. Figured it was a fluke.
Wednesday morning: Rosie seemed fine—a bit off—imperceptibly so. Her blood work was off months ago and I was worried whatever that was was flaring up again. But she seemed content. I went to work.
When I got home from work—she was limping badly. Her head bobbed with each step. Front legs/feet and esp. the right from what I could tell. There was no swelling, no hot spots, she didn’t flinch when touched anywhere, she was not hesitating to put full weight on her legs/hooves, her hooves were not warm to touch—no warmer than some of the other horses.
I called the vet—after hours. She said to go with Banamine and call in the morning to schedule an appt if she wasn’t better. I gave her Banamine.
Farrier returned my call. He listened to the whole story, then said he thought it was one of those things that clears up in three days. He suggested no stall rest and no Banamine.
Thursday morning: Rosie was 85% better! She walked easily out of her stall—no limp and she trotted to the back and gave a morning whinny. If I kept watching her I’d notice a stiff movement once in a while. She walked all over before settling down to eat some hay. I figured whatever it was, it was clearing up fast! I also knew the Banamine was still in effect.
I texted farrier a thank you and didn’t call the vet.
Thursday afternoon: A horse friend was here so I walked Rosie in a circle so the friend could watch her. She felt there was still some stiffness or whatever…she wasn’t 100%, but still so much better than that first day.
Friday/Saturday: Rosie is still the same—no huge improvement, except when she moves in a pivot to the right (nothing I’m asking her to do—just movement in the pasture) it’s smoother—before it was jerky/awkward. Still there was no swelling, no hot spots, she didn’t flinch when touched anywhere, she was not hesitating to put full weight on her legs/hooves. She seems totally content--is always grooming with other horses.
Sunday: It rained another inch, so horses are confined to the middle pasture. Once everyone had been in the mud and puddles, I checked hooves again. This time—for the first time—Rosie’s felt a few degrees warmer than the others. The others, for the most part, were cold—Rosie’s were warm. I had to leave my hand on it to determine it. I kept moving between horses and hers do indeed feel slightly warmer to touch—at least they’re not cold.
The pastures are sparse. But I know summer/rain/grass can be troublesome. Rosie has a cresty neck—always has. She doesn’t have much as far as fat pads though.
Now the small pasture I consider practically a dry lot, is halved with white electric tape. The horses are not happy. I’ve also ordered three muzzles—one for Rosie and ones for the mares.
I just gave her the last of the Banamine because I want to see if it makes a difference again.
But, I could be way off on this. It could be a sprained muscle or something like that. I plan on calling the vet and farrier back tomorrow to run everything by them.
Writing out the events will help be remember the facts.
Thought I’d add this here and see if anyone else has had a similar experience and can reply with a “OH, I’ve had a horse do that and it’ll just take longer—be patient.”
I'll add pasture pics.
One back pasture. Does this look like it'd cause founder?:
I'm looking for ideas on if this is a muscle issue or a founder issue.
Pastures total maybe a bit more than an acre. There are five horses. They’re divided into five pastures. None are what I’d call lush—the grass is way too short to mow. There are several dead spots from Rounding–Up weeds. Last week it was very dry and hot—so all pastures were open—they roam all over so get plenty of exercise. Monday night it rained an inch. Pastures were left open the next day, but all but two--the closest to dry lots--were closed when I got home from work.
Tuesday: I lunged mares, then Rosie, age 3. She’s learning good behavior on the lunge line, so I was pleased she walked calmly for the 10 minutes and went both directions well. Usually she’s more rambunctious. That should have been my first clue, but I was thinking she was making good progress. At the end of the 10 min her gait seemed a bit off. Not a huge thing—and one had to be watching closely to catch it at all. I checked her all out—nothing. I checked her later several times and she seemed fine. Figured it was a fluke.
Wednesday morning: Rosie seemed fine—a bit off—imperceptibly so. Her blood work was off months ago and I was worried whatever that was was flaring up again. But she seemed content. I went to work.
When I got home from work—she was limping badly. Her head bobbed with each step. Front legs/feet and esp. the right from what I could tell. There was no swelling, no hot spots, she didn’t flinch when touched anywhere, she was not hesitating to put full weight on her legs/hooves, her hooves were not warm to touch—no warmer than some of the other horses.
I called the vet—after hours. She said to go with Banamine and call in the morning to schedule an appt if she wasn’t better. I gave her Banamine.
Farrier returned my call. He listened to the whole story, then said he thought it was one of those things that clears up in three days. He suggested no stall rest and no Banamine.
Thursday morning: Rosie was 85% better! She walked easily out of her stall—no limp and she trotted to the back and gave a morning whinny. If I kept watching her I’d notice a stiff movement once in a while. She walked all over before settling down to eat some hay. I figured whatever it was, it was clearing up fast! I also knew the Banamine was still in effect.
I texted farrier a thank you and didn’t call the vet.
Thursday afternoon: A horse friend was here so I walked Rosie in a circle so the friend could watch her. She felt there was still some stiffness or whatever…she wasn’t 100%, but still so much better than that first day.
Friday/Saturday: Rosie is still the same—no huge improvement, except when she moves in a pivot to the right (nothing I’m asking her to do—just movement in the pasture) it’s smoother—before it was jerky/awkward. Still there was no swelling, no hot spots, she didn’t flinch when touched anywhere, she was not hesitating to put full weight on her legs/hooves. She seems totally content--is always grooming with other horses.
Sunday: It rained another inch, so horses are confined to the middle pasture. Once everyone had been in the mud and puddles, I checked hooves again. This time—for the first time—Rosie’s felt a few degrees warmer than the others. The others, for the most part, were cold—Rosie’s were warm. I had to leave my hand on it to determine it. I kept moving between horses and hers do indeed feel slightly warmer to touch—at least they’re not cold.
The pastures are sparse. But I know summer/rain/grass can be troublesome. Rosie has a cresty neck—always has. She doesn’t have much as far as fat pads though.
Now the small pasture I consider practically a dry lot, is halved with white electric tape. The horses are not happy. I’ve also ordered three muzzles—one for Rosie and ones for the mares.
I just gave her the last of the Banamine because I want to see if it makes a difference again.
But, I could be way off on this. It could be a sprained muscle or something like that. I plan on calling the vet and farrier back tomorrow to run everything by them.
Writing out the events will help be remember the facts.
Thought I’d add this here and see if anyone else has had a similar experience and can reply with a “OH, I’ve had a horse do that and it’ll just take longer—be patient.”
I'll add pasture pics.
One back pasture. Does this look like it'd cause founder?:
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