Q: My
favorite horse has foundered. She started out with laminitis with no rotation
for 2 months. Then one day my husband made a very serious error (with the best
intentions) which caused her to get very upset and run until she could not walk
at all. That resulted in 8 degree rotation in both front. She has been on butte
since August. Now she is showing symptoms of ulcers so we are treating her for ulcers. I have ordered Power Horse and am hoping it will
help. When is it a good time to use bute and what are the alternatives
to bute for treating inflammation and pain? My vet seems to think
she is stable. But she still has her bad days where she walks tenderly. I want so desperately to get her off bute and as soon as possible. I
also read where you suggested using apple cider vinegar daily, is this better
than betadine or bleach? Will it treat mild thrush? Thank you for this
site and your help.
A: I have
the best results with pain control by getting the hoof balanced, heel at
proper height and toe back correct amount. I have used devil's claw and
yucca-type "buteless" solutions with mixed results. By far the
best way I've found is to let the horse move around as they feel
able. Improving the shape of their hooves is the key, as is keeping them on
proper nutrition (see www.safergrass.org),
and with plenty of room to move about if they want. No confinement whatsoever
at any time, keeping them with at least one other horse that won't pester them
(too badly). That a horse would run themselves in to a founder situation
makes me suspicious that they weren't allowed freedom of movement to begin with. Although
maybe the upsetting situation she endured really messed up her head? I'm
sensing that her environment is a problem. Ulcers, not enough room, need for
other horses, environmental stresses (predators, excess or imbalanced nutrition,
lack of herd interaction, poor hoof form). The cider vinegar should be
adequate. If you're having persistent thrush or abcesses, the hooves are not
balanced/ trimmed correctly. Lysol solution (two tablespoons per gallon of
water) also works well for disinfection. It is critical that you have
properly sized boots for her as well (Epic or Boa boots work well. Visit EasyCare, Inc. to order some. If you're in need of more specific consultation on exactly how
to trim and feed and help the environment, I can help you in this regard for
$150.00 per week via email. You also need to get hooked up with a
competent hoof trimmer that understands what is going on, as most farriers do
not appreciate what is happening with the hoof in these cases and often trim
off the wrong parts of the hoof that should have stayed. Other links to
check out are www.hoofrehab.com,
www.equinextion.com, www.equethy.com.
Best wishes for you and your horse.
Dr. TT
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