Posted by Vicki on October 30, 2003 at 14:35:18:
In Reply to: Re: Lameness in Belgian posted by Patty Stiller on October 27, 2003 at 17:38:13:
: : I have noticed my 5 1/2 year old Belgian mare being very, very, slightly off in the front on occasion for a long time now, I would see her off on her left, then the right. I would seem to be either on rocky or uneven ground. I would call my vet out, the vet would come out and she would be fine. I would have my farrier check her hooves she would be sound and there would be not problems with her hooves. I have always said she is more forward with shoes on. Everyone was basically telling me I was paranoid, that there was nothing wrong with this horse, I was really beginning to doubt myself, and the thing is, I know every single inch of this horse better than I know myself.
: : She is now bred, and my vet came out on Monday to give her 5 month pneumobort shot. She got out of her van and said, wow Pear is off today. Well, finally someone else has seen it and I am not so stupid after all. So, my vet did not have enough films with her to take x rays, but, I said, I want you to do a lameness exam right now while she is lame. Her stride that day was also short and kind of choppy. So, she blocked her left heel no change. Blocked the rest of the left hoof, we got a significant head bob. Blocked the right hoof she was sound. The vet is coming back out tomorrow for x rays. She told me it could be laminitis, or pedal osteitis.
: : This horse has never ever gotten into grain, I have had her since she was 19 months old. Being a draft, I kept her fairly light as she was growing. She has never been sick, never had a fever. Never had heat in her hooves. She was never backed until very late in her 3rd year and then only very lightly, never ridden hard or long, never worked on hard surfaces. Basically this horse has lived a life of luxury.
: : She is about 17-17.1 apx 1700# and wears a 7 shoe. She has good conformation and good hoof conformation. I have been reading everything I can on the two subjects. I swing between, we will take care of this, it will be ok, to completely bawling my eyes out. If I need to hand walk this horse every single day, I will do that, but, she is fine being ridden unless you come to a rocky or really uneven part. Whatever she needs for shoes I don't care, I will get them and have them put on her. I only use this horse for light trail riding. Any other ideas? I know you can not diagnose something without seeing it. What else should I do to get answers? Of course with her being bred, I am limited as to drugs she can have.
: : Vicki
: Sorry this post slid by and no one answered..sometimes happens here.
: By now you may have more information from the vet? If so what dis she find? If it is laminitis, (perhaps long term low grade and finally worse due to the hormones of pregnancy )I suggest you apply supportive styrofoam to the feet as per the free instructions at the EDSS website.
: For a draft you will need three to four compressed layers of the two inch thick construction grade foam ("Blue board" at home depot) instead of the usual two layrs for regular size horses.
: The foam helps provode temporary relief from a number of condotions as well as laminitis, such as thin soles or bad bruises. Patty
Patty
Thanks for the reply. When we had the x-rays, everything in her hooves looks perfect with the exception of sidebone. She appears to have alot of sidebone in both front hooves. I have my farrier coming out on Saturday and he will trim her hooves with the break over moved back and a rolled toe (not sure if I stated that correctly). There is absolutely no signs of laminitis or pedal osteitis. As my vet said before she has great hoof conformation, good thickness of sole and everything else in there is healthy as can be and the way it should be. Of course she is one of the horses that is bothered by the sidebone, she is pretty whimpy. We will get her trimmed as stated and go from there.
Thank you
Vicki