How to Feed a Foundered Pony

Ponies are more likely to suffer from laminitis if they are overweight.

Laminitis is a condition that occurs in horses and ponies when the internal laminae inside the hoof become severely inflamed and begin to separate. When a horse or pony is said to have foundered, people are normally referring to the after-effects of laminitis. Often times, laminitis is brought on by overfeeding or feeding rich food, especially to an animal that is already overweight. Other causes involve drinking significant amounts of water while overheated, overwork, infection and even retaining the placenta after giving birth. Special attention and care need to be given when feeding a horse that has previously foundered.

Things You'll Need

• Grass hay
• Veterinarian

Instructions

1. Remove all grain feeds and rich hays such as alfalfa and peanut. Remove the pony from areas with grass or other vegetation he could graze on.

2. Soak several flakes of grass hay in water to remove excess sugars. Feed the pony only moderate amounts of grass hay until your veterinarian tells you that you can begin feeding him a modified diet. In order to manage lamintis and to keep it from reoccuring, the pony will have to be on a modified diet permanently.

3. Feed the pony a modified diet that consists mainly of good quality oils, forage and fiber. The American Association of Equine Practitioners recommends feeding easily digestable fibers, such as beet pulp, while avoiding any feeds that are high in sugars and carbohydrates, especially grains. Limit the pony's pasture time, especially during times of the year when rich green grass is coming up quickly.

Tips & Warnings

• The amount of food you feed your pony will depend on its size and the severity of the laminitis.

• Develop a long term maintenance and feeding plan with your veterinarian.

• Determine the cause of laminitis, if possible. Contact your veternarian as soon as you suspect your pony has developed laminitis. Untreated laminitis --- or improperly treated laminitis --- can cause serious health problems for ponies.

References

• Acreage Equines: Founder and Laminitis
• American Association of Equine Practitioners: Laminitis
• American Association of Equine Practitioners: Laminitis: Prevention and Treatment