How to Prevent Laminitis

Knowing how to take care of your horses hooves is one way to prevent your horse from going lame.
Some of the best horses in the world have had to be destroyed because of laminitis.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Anatomy of horses hooves.
• Hoofpick
• footbrush
• natural foot dressing

1. 
    
   Foot Sections from top.

   One way to help your horse remain sound is to take care of the hoof.
   There are many ways horses can become lame. But neglecting a hoof injury can be devastating.

2. 
    
   Check the condition of the foot. Look for bruising, imbedded rocks, cracks, etc.

   When you pick your horses hoof with a hoof pick, get all the debris out, the frog is a very sensitive area of the foot. Take a brush and brush all around the hoof out.

3. 
    
   Coronet in this picture is the white,dry band at top of hoof.

   On the surface you can clean out the horses hoof even washing the foot out with soap and water, (to get a real good look). If you do wash the foot be sure to dry around the heels and coronet of the foot.

4. 
    
   Navicular disease is a very serious disease as well.

   After dying the foot, you can get a horse hoof dressing, or even vaseline.The hoof wall is covered with material that prevents evaporation of moisture. When this material is deficient, the hoof wall becomes dry and excessive flaking and cracking may occur. A good hoof paint aids in preventing excessive drying.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are in any way, in doubt of a problem with your horse. GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN!
• Your horses feet need to be pliable,
• Not too moist
• Not too dry
• Be careful not to damage your horses foot by trying to trim, cut, or poke around where you don't know what your doing.
• Make sure again when in doubt, to call Your BLACKSMITH.

Resources

• Ask A Horse Vet Online
• Equine Lameness Diagnosis
• Improve Hoof Condition

[lanijo]

on 6/27/2009 Thanks I will check that site out.

[scho0747]

on 6/26/2009 I found a great book on natural therapies for founder and laminitis here is the website if you want to check it out http://laminitis-founder-advice.com/?hop=sms1986