This time of year, most of us hoofcare providers get a little nervous seeing the overweight or metabolic horses on our books – especially if their metabolic issues haven’t been managed properly. Little shoots of spring grass are coming up quickly, and with it can come increased sugar levels, insulin spikes, and hoof pain.
This spring, I plan to interview a handful of owners and hoofcare providers that have rehabbed laminitis successfully, to discuss their approaches, what worked and what didn’t, and to equip listeners with more knowledge and confidence in preventing laminitis in the future.
This week, I chatted with Amber Greeson, a hoofcare provider in Texas, about a special laminitic case that was on the verge of euthanasia. With proper management, hoofcare, and lifestyle changes, he is now sound and happy!
You can hear our entire conversation on any podcast app under “The Humble Hoof,” or directly at this link.
I have a laminatic Mule. We live in NE Georgia. I found him on a Monday looking very uncomfortable not wanting to walk and seeming to want to stay off his feet. He was running around Saturday. Pulled him off the pasture, which is mostly weeds. He is 9 years old and massive. Vet came out and did radiographs on all four fee. No evidence of any coffin bone rotation. No heat in his feet. Blood work revealed within limits on glucose with indication of insulin resistance. Stalled him. Soaked his feet, feeding poor hay, 2 grams of bute, Remission supplement and Enrich daily. Farrier came out and tested with no pain response. No abcesses, no white line. He gets moved from a stall to a round pen daily, dry. It’s been almost a month and he’s somewhat better but still seems ouchy. He’s lost a bunch of weight and I’ve ordered grazing muzzles. Any other Ideas?
Unfortunately, Enrich would not be safe for any laminitic equines I see, and Remission isn’t very helpful. I would join ecirhorse.org and follow their Emergency Diet!