Medical Monday: Laminitis & Founder

Some people use these terms interchangeably but they are actually two different conditions – founder being a possible result of laminitis.

Laminitis is an infection of the laminae (tissue) that connects the coffin bone and the hoof wall.  Founder occurs when the laminae die, causing the attachment of the coffin bone to the hoof wall to breakdown completely.

Cause

There are several causes of laminitis and founder, including:

·         Too much grain – overconsumption of carbohydrates

·         Too much grass and/or grass clippings (aka grass founder)

·         Drinking too much when overheated

·         Repetitive and excessive concussion of the hooves (aka road founder)

·         Exposure to black walnut shavings

·         Repeated used of high doses of corticosteroids

Symptoms

·         Typically the first tell-tale sign is the horse standing in the “founder stance” – where the horse stands with his hind legs well underneath his belly and his front legs out in front to relieve as much pressure from them as possible.

·         The horse will be reluctant to walk

·         Horse will turn by pivoting on the hind end rather than walk a full circle.

·         Increased temperature in the affected hooves

Treatment

·         Doing your best to make the horse comfortable

o   Encouraging them to lie down (relieves pressure on hoof)

o   Extra stall bedding

o   Painkillers

·         Purge the horse’s digestive tract to limit absorption of toxins

·         Antibiotics to ward against infection

·         Anticoagulants to improve blood flow to the hooves

Prevention

·         Dietary restrictions – especially for breeds that are predisposed to laminitis and founder (watch for horses with cresty necks and ponies)

·         Keep your horse at a healthy weight

·         Keep feed securely locked away to prevent binging

·         Regulate water intake when horse is overheated (for example, after a hard workout).

HRN's First Contest - Progress Update

Here's a quick update on the portrait that Meredith is currently working on for our first contest winner.  We'll post a few more as she races towards completion!

If you'd like Meredith to do a portrait for you, she is available for commissioned artwork.  Contact her at meredith.madderom@gmail.com for more information. 

Safety Notice for Langley Residents

The following was forwarded to me today.  Residents of Langley, BC beware.

-----

It has come to my attention that a number of farms have had things go missing and have noticed a man on a bike coming into their driveways and looking around or riding in the area.

Recently a bike was noticed at the gate by someone coming home so they went out to the barn to check things out. A man came out from the barn area and assaulted the home owner knocking them unconscious.

Medical Monday: Tetanus

Medical Monday: Tetanus (aka Lockjaw)

I wanted to do an article on tetanus because, if you’re like me, you always get your horse vaccinated against it but it’s become so automatic that you’ve kind of forgotten what tetanus is exactly – the finer points of the disease, if you will.

Tetanus can occur when a wound becomes infected with the Clostridium tetani bacterium – which is naturally found in soil and animal feces.  This bacterium produces a powerful neurotoxin which results in muscle contraction and spasm.  The incubation period for this disease is anywhere from 3 to 21 days. 

Symptoms:

• Inability to eat as the jaw is unable to move (“lockjaw”)
• Movement becomes progressively more rigid
• Tail may be raised
• Ears constantly pricked forward
• Horse may be unable to bend or flex their neck
• Muscle spasms affecting small areas, or possibly the entire body, will become apparent
• As the disease progresses, it moves into the horses’ lungs and causes an inability to breath resulting in death. 

Treatment:

• Generally consists of antibiotics, muscle relaxants, and the tetanus antitoxin.

Prevention:

• Vaccination – annually on regularly vaccinated horses.  If the horse hasn’t been vaccinated, or its vaccination status is unknown, the horse should receive 2 doses administered 3 to 6 weeks apart.
• Proper wound management

Well this was informative, but depressing.  Please, make sure to take proper care of any/all injuries your horse sustains! Here’s a pretty picture to leave this on an upbeat note!

Tips for Buying a New Horse: Part 2

Questions to ask the seller:

·         Has the horse ever foundered

·         Does he kick? Bite? Rear? Bolt? Spooky?

·         How well does he trailer?

·         How is he on trails?

·         Can he be pastured with other horses? –how is he in a herd situation?

·         Any vices? Cribbing? Weaving? Chewing?

·         Any history of colic?

·         Is the horse an easy keeper or hard to keep weight on?

·         When did the horse last see a vet? Teeth floated? Vaccinations? Farrier? Wormed?

·         What equipment does the horse come with? Blankets? Saddle? Bridle? Halter? Lead rope?

·         What is the horses training level and show history?

Don’t forget to examine your own personal needs to determine what other information about your potential new horse you might need to know.  For example, do you have young children that will be riding the horse as well? –if so, you’re going to want to ask how the horse is with kids.

Remember, given the choice, visit the horse a few times before making a purchase decision as this is a huge commitment :)  Good luck with your purchase!