How to Trim & Rehabilitate a Foundered Pony
Ponies are prone to Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), which is a lot like diabetes in humans. Ponies with EMS have a hard time metabolizing sugars and carbohydrates, making them become obese and more likely to founder. Founder, also known as laminitis, is when the coffin bone in the hoof becomes inflamed and starts to rotate down through the hoof sole. This makes the pony's toe begin to flare out and the entire anatomy of the foot to separate. This is a very painful process that can lead to chronic lameness and even death.
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Things You'll Need
- Farrier
- Veterinarian
- Grazing muzzle
- Shallow tub or basin
- Epsom salts
- Stall
Instructions
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Contact your veterinarian and farrier at the first signs of founder in your pony. Signs to look for include weight gain, increased heart rate, heat in the hooves, and difficulty walking. Set up a time when both of them can meet with you at the same time, and everyone can be on the same page with a diagnosis and plan. The vet will look at nutrition and pain factors, and the farrier will plan a schedule to trim your pony's feet to alleviate pain.
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Understand the nutrition plan that your veterinarian lays out for you. Ponies who founder usually need to have their sugars and carbohydrates reduced and to be removed from lush pasture areas.
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Purchase a grazing muzzle that will make the pony work to get grass. Grass is high in sugar, especially in the spring when it is first coming up. Ponies need to be turned out for the exercise, and they need the grass for digestion, just not in the multitude that they would like to eat it. The grazing muzzle will make them work for the grass, keep them occupied, and not allow them to over indulge. However, if your veterinarian advises you to keep your pony away from all grass, then you must keep him in a stall.
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Talk to your farrier about how he plans to trim your pony's foot. Make sure he has experience with founder. The toe flare is the first thing that needs to be trimmed off. Your farrier should always trim the toe in a vertical fashion using nippers or a rasp.
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See how much pain your pony is in after you trim the toe flare before you start on the heel. In a foundered pony, the heel grows the fastest. If your pony is sore and tired after trimming the toe flare, wait for the next day to work on the heel length.
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Soak your pony's feet in warm water and Epsom salts on a daily basis to soothe the pain. Be sure to also administer any pain medicine that the veterinarian has prescribed on a regimented basis.
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Keep up with trimming your pony's feet. Normally you can wait six weeks between farrier appointments. In the case of founder, your farrier needs to visit weekly to keep working on the shape of your pony's foot.
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Keep your pony in a clean stall for at least 12 hours a day to have a chance to rest, relax and stay off of the grass. Make sure he has plenty of water, regulate his feed, and lay off of the treats because they have the highest sugar content.
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Tips & Warnings
It will take several months to rehabilitate your pony from founder. Be diligent with her care.
Founder can be very costly. Talk with your veterinarian and farrier about your financial situation.
Founder can be a chronic issue, so be meticulous with your pony's care even after it has healed. The rotation will always be there in the coffin bone, and the pony is more likely to founder again after the first time.
References
- Photo Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty Images
