Posted by TE Couch on July 15, 2003 at 06:58:42:
In Reply to: Re: cant keep my lame horse in!!! posted by Patty Stiller on July 14, 2003 at 20:35:40:
: : : hi my horse has a lame front foot due to lamanitis , i have tried to stable her but as she hates being stabled this makes her hoove worst because she bangs it all the time on the floor. we bought some electric fencing but she walks through it .she is grazing in a farmers field which has lots of lush green grass.the farmer has told me to tether her but i dont like that idea..has anyone got any ideas for me, i need help!!!!
: : Jen,
: : Perhaps you could borrow a pony or another horse from a friend to "babysit" your horse while she is kept up......give her a ball or something to play with and turn on a radio for her.....anything to combat the boredom and keep her happy until she can be turned out
: : also, splitting up her normal feed ration and giving her small quantities at a time will give her something to do instead of gulping it all down in 15 minutes and then having to wait 24 hours until the next feeding
: : hope this helps
: : Derin
: The laminitic horses I have treated have done have recovered far,far better if they are let outside free choice. Therefore I am not an advocate of stalling laminitic horses, except maybe in the first 48 hours or so until the initial inflammation subsides a bit.
: Those who I have had experience with (lots of them) who were stall bound for long periods did not ever fully recover. If the feet are properly supported wit hstyrofoam, a support system or whatever the vet is using, I want to see them out, with the option of a nice deep bedded place to liwe down whenever they want. A quiet companion (one who will not harrass them)is also a big help. Patty
If she is grass foundered/laminitic and you are trying to get a handle on her weight or diet you can also get her used to a grazing muzzle for part of the day when she is on pasture
TE