Hoof Trimming, natural hoofcare, Barefoot hoofcare
 
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
 


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Hoof trimming, horse trim, trim, hoof anatomy, shoeless horses, barefoot horses, rehabilitating from founder, navicular, transition from shoes, and other hoof problems