You know, I really don't want to keep cranking on the vets and farriers but then I see something on TV that just really frosts me. This last time was on The Horse Show with Rick Lamb. It was about this vet that has invented this high tech "lameness detector". So to show how it works, they put it on a horse that has shoes and obvious (to me) a contracted high-heeled right front foot. The left front foot was flatter and this is so typical. It's very elaborate with sensors on various parts of the horse, the handler trots the horse (with his lead rope gripped tight and the head of the horse held to the left and high) down a concrete barn aisle. What a load of manure! But it's expensive manure! I'm sure that vet plans to sell those lameness detectors and make a lot of money on all those shod horses with contracted feet.
 
 
IT's that time of year again! The grass is growing, people are saddling up their horses and expecting to go on a nice long trail ride and many people get their vaccinations done on their horses as well. All this adds up to a recipe for laminitis.
Now whether or not you have your horse barefoot, you need to consider several things.
1. Vaccinations. Personally, I do not feel they are necessary and no longer give them to my mature horses (which is all I have now) I haven't given vaccinations for the last 4 or 5 years and my horses have been perfectly healthy. But this is something you have to consider for yourself. Just consider the fact that giving all the recommended vaccinations at one time has the potential to cause a laminitis reaction.
2. Clover. There are sugars in all grasses but there is a lot of sugar in clover. There is a specific chemical in clover that is toxic. But too much grass, too quickly can trigger laminitis. The same goes for too much feed at one time. This toxicity poisons the horse. If the horse has poor circulation in his feet whether due to shoes, or lack of proper trimming, the less poison is needed to trip the laminitis trigger.. But grass is the natural food of horses! So if the horse has good functioning barefeet, grass is usually not a problem. (clover or fertilized grass IS a problem!) Clover grows quickly in the spring on over-grazed pastures so consider having a weed killer product that is not toxic to horses sprayed on your pastures (keep horses off them until you have some rain and the clover has died out)
3. Riding. We all want to get out on our horse and go for a nice long trail ride and gallop. But consider whether your horse has had regular exercise like that. Direct trauma can cause laminitis. Build up your horses's endurance and think before you gallop down a hard road.
4. Allergies. You know allergic reactions can manifest into swelling of the nasal passages but I believe there is the chance that some horses are more pron to develop allergies which cause them to swell in other places, including their feet. But it's just a thought.
5. water. hooves need it and sometimes a wet winter is followed by a drier spring and summer. Think of soaking your horses feet like you think of watering your plants. Its too late to water the plants after they've died.
Mostly though I think its a combination of all these factors.
Ok gotta go
 
 
Billy and I met while fox hunting over 25 years ago. We have had many horses over the years and have enjoyed riding together. I think it is important to have some activity that you can enjoy doing with your husband. This past couple of weeks, we've been steadily "defragging" our farm. Since about 10 years ago the city sewer put lines through our property, the fence around the far pasture had been taken down in places. We worked hard digging post holes and replacing fencing and now have two horses grazing there. We've been fixing things around the farm and house and I managed to talk Billy into riding my mare. We have been on a couple of trail rides here on the farm and one out with the hunt club on one of our fixtures in Caswell Co. It was great to be out riding, working and enjoying each other's company.