Posted by Patty Stiller on August 09, 2000 at 12:15:09:
In Reply to: Re: Founder in rear feet. posted by monica on August 09, 2000 at 09:05:53:
: : : My 6 year old mare has foundered twice this spring and summer. When pads were placed on her frount feet, the new farrier was concerned as she has also foundered in her rear feet. How common is this and what should we be doing at it? I have contacted our vet so they can keep this info on file. Also, should the old farrier not have noticed something wrong. I had mentioned she was "ouchie" but he said there was nothing wrong. She wears four shoes Thanks
: : Was it the veterinarian or the new farrier who diagnosed the founder? If it was the farrier who noticed something wrong, the veterinarian should be callin in to thoroughly evaluate the feet. The vet and farrier should work together in treating it. Since I was not there at the time your old farrier did your horse, it is impossible to say what he did/didn't see at that time and therefore cannot comment on why he did or did not notice anything wrong. Perhaps there wasn't anything obviously wrong that he could see at that time....Patty
: Hi Patty - I called the vet the first time for the founder, our original farrier doubted my opinion of founder but changed his mind when I told him the vet diagnosed it. The first farrier never notice anything with the back feet, but a second farrier, we call in for a second opinion noticed it right away. I was just wondering what extra care should be taken for the rear feet, or just the same as the front. The second farrier and the vet work well together. Monica
The same principles apply to treating and maintaining the rear feet as the fronts. Because the rears do not carry as much weight as the fronts they often are far less damaged and therefore most often need less in the way of therapeutic shoeing. . The breakover should be maintained back toward the tip of P3, with the dorsal wall unloaded, the sole callous depth must be preserved, and support needs to come under the rear of the foot, including the frog and bars. Some horses do fine barefoot in the rears, some need shoes or added frog/sole support. The vet can best ascess the amount of help that the rear feet need in your particular case. Patty