Founder treamtment basics

[tomTrivia]

Hi all,
My confirmed (by ATCH test) Cushing's mare may or may not have had a laminitis episode this summer. My friend has a horse that has had founder at least once this year and is chronically sore. Lately I have been reading about treatments for founder but would like to know if my understanding is correct:

1. On going x-rays are needed. These are to provide not only diagnosis, but a view of the happenings inside the hoof so the farrier can correctly shape the hoof. Will the farrier require new x-rays for every trimming?

2. The farrier will try to match the outside of the hoof to the new position of the coffin bone.

3. If further movement of coffin bone is prevented, (cause of founder addressed by owner and vet) then the healing/ rehab begins and will take at least 1 hoof replacement of growth before the hoof is strong enough to permit any sort of stress. However, any further bone movement after the initial founder puts the whole situation back to the beginning.

In this forum it was written that the coffin bone needs support. Is that dependant on how much rotation? Does the amount of rotation dictate the type of shoe used or is it always a heart-bar?

Thanks for your patience with a newbie. I'd like to have a good idea of the protocol for founder treatment so that if my mare does, I won't be trying to get educated and make important decisions while Dawn is suffering.

-LeeAnne & "Dawn"
Newmarket, Ontario

EC List Case History: http://www.sportshorses.com/cases/tomtriv.WimpleoDawnLight.htm
Photos: http://ca.geocities.com/tomtriv@rogers.com/Dawn_Photo_History.html

[tomTrivia]

Did I ask a **** question?

[Forgewizard]

No, You did NOT ask a **** question! I commend you for seeking knowledge PRIOR to actually needing it! Kudos to you!

Will the farrier require xrays before each trimming? NO! Definitely not! At least once before any changes have occured is an excellent idea, because then you have your baseline "Normal" for your horse.

If the horse suffers lamintis then get another set taken. Browse this Board for suggestions on taking good xrays.There are some excellent comments. If you know what to expect and can talk with your vet about it and help set the horse up properly, you'll stand a chance of getting better radiographs.

A horse can be laminitic and have laminitis without being foundered! There IS a difference! A horse can be laminitic and not show soreness.

Well, actually the farrier isn't "matching" the new position of the coffin bone as much as they are trying to redirect the coffin bone to return to its "normal" position.

There are several ways to offer centralized support to the hoof, but the most common (and usually the most effective) is some type of heart bar. Whether this is metal, or urethane, depends on the horse and the amount of change within the hoof capsule.

There are many mechanical issues as well as systemic issues to be addressed when a horse goes laminitic or founders.

Since your horse has been diagnosed start setting aside a fund to help cover the costs of what you may encounter.Also I am sure you are researching the dietetic changes necessary.

Not every horse that has Cushings will go laminitic or founder, they are just more prone to it because their system is already going haywire. Laminitis issues stem from systemic insults. Be religious about the horse's nutrient intake and exercise program to limit fluctuaations in the horse's system.

Keep doing what you are doing as far as seeking knowledge! The more you learn, the more you learn you don't know! But it is Soooo much fun discovering new things and cogitating old things!