Please be aware that this year we have been seeing many horses and ponies affected with laminitis (AKA Founder). While some of this is due to underlying disorders such as Cushing’s disease or Equine Metabolic Syndrome, some cases have simply been due to access to lush pasture. With the phenomenal season farmers in the western districts have been enjoying this year, please remember that a lot of the pasture types used for livestock are unsuitable for ponies and some horses due to the sugar profiles of these plants… Particularly coming into Spring.
In order to keep your horse’s hooves safe, make sure you know how to monitor their risk of laminitis by checking their hooves and coronet bands daily for heat, checking if you can feel their digital pulses, and assessing their crest.
Figure 1S Severe pedal bone rotation
Figure 2 Location of the digital artery (Pulse)
If you are unsure how to do these things be sure to get your vet to show you next time we are attending to your horses!