barnbum
Well-Known Member
About 18 months ago my Rosie had laminitis. For the first time in years I had all horses pastured together, so I thought finally I have full control of the grass issue because I can open/close gates as needed. It was a very dry May--all gates were open. It rained the night before, but I decided in the morning to leave all gates open because the grass was so dry and I never imagined it' grow enough to be a problem--heck, there were five horses on about an acre. Well--when I was lunging horses that night, Rosie was off. The next afternoon she didn't want to walk. Her hooves were not warm to touch and she was standing in a way to put her weight on her front hooves, so the vet-over the phone--didn't think it was laminitis. I called my trusty farrier and he came right over and made an unofficial diagnosis. He knew just what to do. She got more mats in her stall, with deeper shavings. He said to soak her front hooves in cold water; she was very good about standing in a large black rubber feed bowl while she ate her hay. I gave her Banamine. He trimmed her every few weeks for a while, then finally lengthened it to 6, then 8 weeks. After about 14 months he declared her 100%. A new hoof had grown out.
The vet later said soaking is totally not necessary.
At first he said to muzzle her--so I bought $300 of breakaway halters with muzzles and worked with all five horses until they were comfortable with them. That was still too much for her. So we blocked off a tiny area of her and a friend and sprayed pastures to kill grass. Horses had to be off it for 3 weeks--and then I still muzzled them for several days. Now all are on dry lots, but a shadow of grass emerges after lots of rain and heat. It's been fine. Four can go on the pastures that are still grassy, but they are always muzzled.
My horses don't have cresty necks anymore. They get extra hay, and seem content. We are expanding their dry lot area in the spring; I like giving them lots of room to move and then we'll be utilizing the back run-in too. The fence has already been moved--just have to wait for the grass to die this winter.
Good luck--it's a frustrating and long wait to healing. Stick with who you trust.
The vet later said soaking is totally not necessary.
At first he said to muzzle her--so I bought $300 of breakaway halters with muzzles and worked with all five horses until they were comfortable with them. That was still too much for her. So we blocked off a tiny area of her and a friend and sprayed pastures to kill grass. Horses had to be off it for 3 weeks--and then I still muzzled them for several days. Now all are on dry lots, but a shadow of grass emerges after lots of rain and heat. It's been fine. Four can go on the pastures that are still grassy, but they are always muzzled.
My horses don't have cresty necks anymore. They get extra hay, and seem content. We are expanding their dry lot area in the spring; I like giving them lots of room to move and then we'll be utilizing the back run-in too. The fence has already been moved--just have to wait for the grass to die this winter.
Good luck--it's a frustrating and long wait to healing. Stick with who you trust.
