Foundered pony

[cowboyjl]

I started working with this pony a few weeks ago. He has acute laminitis in his hind feet and I am unsure of how long he has been diagnosed. I believe that I am the fourth farrier that the owner has used. She requested that we keep him on a six week program, with which I agreed. She called me today asking if I have heard of any feed supplement that would help with his metabolic disturbance. I know of nothing that could be of use in the current stages of his laminitis. Has anyone else heard of anything that could be used. I believe she heard that it was something that K-State was working on. The Vet she uses merley suggested she give him bute and to keep him on it until he "gets better". I advised her that too much bute could be a bad thing and that she should consider seeking DVM advise elsewhere. Could somebody else offer any ideas and is there any difference in trimming a foundered hind foot as opposed to a forefoot? This is my first case.

[Gary Hill]

If this pony has issues after four farriers and the owner is still feeding suppliments? I would dry lot this little guy and only feed grass hay. Check out the safergrass.org web site and get more info to help. Good Luck! Gary

[cowboyjl]

Thanks Gary. I am going to pass the website on to the owner. I think she will find it very helpful.

[Hopalong]

I started working with this pony a few weeks ago. He has acute laminitis in his hind feet and I am unsure of how long he has been diagnosed. I believe that I am the fourth farrier that the owner has used. She requested that we keep him on a six week program, with which I agreed. She called me today asking if I have heard of any feed supplement that would help with his metabolic disturbance. I know of nothing that could be of use in the current stages of his laminitis. Has anyone else heard of anything that could be used. I believe she heard that it was something that K-State was working on. The Vet she uses merley suggested she give him bute and to keep him on it until he "gets better". I advised her that too much bute could be a bad thing and that she should consider seeking DVM advise elsewhere. Could somebody else offer any ideas and is there any difference in trimming a foundered hind foot as opposed to a forefoot? This is my first case.
First..there are foundered ponys...and ponys that haven't foundered yet.

When a horse, or pony, gets a bout of laminitis...figure out the cause, or you just keep revisiting the issue.

Is this pony obese, Cushings Disease, thyroid issues, or get into the grain?(among other things)

Never heard of a horse foundering only in the hind feet...my take on this is...

It's either not laminitis, or because of the longevity of the condition, sub solar abcesses have developed...the front feet have drained, but the hinds haven't.