Buying A Pony With Laminitis

I have the opportunity to buy a 17 yr old pony that had a bout of lamintis last year.

Buying a pony with laminitis. Provide good routine health and hoof care. Be aware that when a horse is ill under stress or overweight it is especially at risk. In a one year study of danish horses with and without laminitis harris and nanna luthersson dvm found that allowing a previously pasture restricted horse to have free choice grass or moving. One last note about laminitis.

Laminitis starts at a microscopic level well before actual lameness sets in. Keep this in mind when you re looking to buy a horse as well as this is an indication that they have had a laminitic episode before and may need a special diet. Fat ponies and their cross breeds are most predisposed to laminitis. Consult your equine practitioner to formulate a good dietary plan.

Hoof rings or slipper shaped feet are predisposed to future episodes because they have fewer healthy laminae remaining to support the. Introduce your horse to lush pasture gradually. If you suspect laminitis consider it a medical emergency and notify your veterinarian immediately. As the hoof begins to grow out your horse will have noticeable rings around the hoof wall.

However any horse suffering a condition mentioned above may also be affected.