Posted 2007-03-27 9:27 AM (#57876) Subject: 6 yr old gelding foundered??? or???
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
My husband's gelding was acting sore on his front feet... I checked the temp and there was no heat/ pulses were strong/ waited a couple of days and took him to the Vet. He says he must have colicked and then founder set in... I am wondering if it could be nitrite poisoning?? we live in SW Missouri and our hay is fescue mix. We feed Nutrena and have never had a problem until now... any ideas???
Posted 2007-03-27 9:38 AM (#57878 - in reply to #57876) Subject: RE: 6 yr old gelding foundered??? or???
Expert
Posts: 1989 Location: South Central OK
Thankfully I've never had this situation. If you think Nitrates are to blame then take a portion of your hay to the county extension agent and have it tested. Sadly sometimes these things happen without any rhyme or reason.
My next move would be to find an experienced farrier so you can start to correct the eminent hoof changes. I don know lots of show horses that have foundered and still live happy show lives, but the cost of hoof care can eat you alive.
Posted 2007-03-27 10:40 AM (#57882 - in reply to #57876) Subject: RE: 6 yr old gelding foundered??? or???
Veteran
Posts: 235 Location: Keymar,Maryland
I doubt the nitrite poisoning. Can't speak for MO but here things are greening up fast and it's prime time for colic and grass founder. Now is the time to restrict your horses from spring grass, consider easing down on grain or feed. Introduce your horses slowly to grass. Please visit www.safergrass.org and I feel everyone should have 2" dense styrofoam on hand and the application instructions downloadable from www.hopeforsoundness.com . This is the number 1 thing you can do in an emergency to minimize hoof damage ( besides removing horses from grass and NO grain, only hay and best soaked/rinsed) until vet/farrier can intervene.I carry it even in the trailer as it has 101 uses for hooves.Rich
Posted 2007-03-27 11:38 AM (#57887 - in reply to #57876) Subject: RE: 6 yr old gelding foundered??? or???
Location: KY
RichM Thanks for the tip on the styrofoam. I had a mare start to founder when we were at horse camp a couple of years ago. She was on meds for asthma so I was watching her like a hawk. Tied her in a mud hole, poured rubbing alcohol on her legs and feet and started her on aspirin (to reduce fever and inflamation). End result, no rotation. Still has the asthma so went to the inhalers.
As to the 6 yro gelding, need to get xrays of the feet to see what is going on, then you'll know what to do.
Posted 2007-03-28 12:00 PM (#57931 - in reply to #57876) Subject: RE: 6 yr old gelding foundered??? or???
Elite Veteran
Posts: 690 Location: missouri
Thank you all for your help. We've had x-rays done and he has rotated minimally... thank goodness my husband trained for farrier work for our own horses and put heart-bar shoes on as soon as he got home from the vet. He is doing better but I hate that this happened.... we dry lot our horses and turn them out on a very limited basis.
6 yr old gelding foundered??? or???
