Horses & founder?

Question

Overweight mini colt with slightly clubbed hooves - having difficulty keeping his weight down & am concerned about founder.

Are there any herbs which would help prevent founder?

Would lunging cause more harm than good due to his slightly clubbed hooves?

Has anyone had any experience with grazing muzzles? Success keeping horses weight down? Tips/tricks?

Thank you!

PS - I'm in Australia FYI.

Answer 1

The important thing to understand is that founder is very dangerous and no matter how sad it may seem your mini should not get any grain what so ever.

He should be given to hand fulls of hay every day if he is not on grass.

If you have pasture only him allow him out on it for say an hour a day with a grazing muzzle. You can adjust the time according to his weight loss and gain.

I would also walk him for exercise as other posters had mentioned.

I had a pony with founder, I didn't realize that I wasnt helping by feeling bad not giving him much food, but in the end its the right thing to do.

Answer 2

the mini horses at my school are constantly on the brink of founder, they are overweight. Good care of feet and stabling when possible next to your warm-blood.

A muzzle works as long as you don't make him quit cold turkey, introduce him slowly to it at first not leaving it on him more than an hour and slowing increase the time to all night.

When you get his feet under control a light lunge for 15mins a day wouldn't hurt, or try long reigning with him over obstacle courses

it's probably good having him a little bit tubby for winter as here in QLD the grass seems to die where i live.

here is a great mini website it's cheap but in America:

http://www.aminihorsesupply.com/mihomu.h...

here's another website, the shop is in SE QLD:

http://www.kingstons.net.au/category130_...

Answer 3

I have also had good luck with the Best Friend grazing muzzle.  It fits well when adjusted properly and didn't rub any sore spots on my pony.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, there are not any herbs or medication that can prevent founder.  Founder is the rotation of the coffin bone usually preceeded by multiple bouts or a critical episode of laminitis.  From what you say, you are "concerned" about founder because of the mini's weight but you have no problems or symptoms.  It is possible he will never have any problems.  Controlling his weight would be desirable because so many problems can be related to obesity.  As others said, he should not be getting any type of grain.  If you want to try a grazing muzzle to see if you have some success, it is something to consider.  I don't think the lunge would be beneficial in any way.  If the pasture is extremely lush and rich, you could put him in a dry lot and give him good grass hay and lots of water.  This would help control his carbohydrate intake somewhat.  As far as founder, I wouldn't worry about it until there are some signs or symptoms which is premature at the the moment.

Answer 5

there are many causes for founder.  Too much very lush grass when the horse isnt used to it.  too much grain.  Drinking cold water when over heated.  Colic.   those are just some.  Excess weight isnt really one of them.  Skinny horses founder just as often or more then fat ones.

If the mini is over weight to begin with,  drop his grain to nothing.  A common misconception is that horses NEED grain.  They dont.  Infact ponies and minis need absolutely none.  If your pasture is incredibly rich ( which It shouldnt be if I am right about australia being reversed seasons from the  U.S. ).. leave him on grass if you can.  And if he is used to being on it.   See if you can fense off a smaller area for him that is already eaten down.   Dry loting him with hay only, grass hay.  Not alfalfa.    Penn State, New Bolton reccomends a diet of roughage without excess energy especially from grains to manage and prevent founder.

Also.. lunging him likely isnt the best of ideas.  It puts alot of strain on young growing joints and bones.  And in his case they are already not aligned correctly.

Answer 6

The Best Friend grazing muzzle is the best, in our experience.  You need to accustom him to it gradually, and not leave him alone with it on at first. Instructions come with it, I think.  That's the best solution for fat little ones turned out on grass.  Longeing will be ok, on a long line, and for not too long a time per session.  Ground driving would be better and more fun.  Another option would be ponying him from another horse, if you can do that without anyone being kicked or bitten!

I'm assuming he's not getting any grain.  Sweet feed, especially must  not be fed, but a mini and most ponies don't need any grain.  I'm probably telling you things you already know.  Regarding herbs, new research is showing that cinnamon actually helps lower blood sugar levels.  Another herb some people use if fenugreek. I haven't tried either, we are putting a PSSM QH who has a bcs of 7, (despite a low calorie diet and daily exercise) on cinnamon this week.

Wish I were in Australia!

Good luck with your mini.

Answer 7

it would be best to try and put her in a pasturer were theres not much to eat.

Answer 8

dry paddock, no grain, little hay, 20 minute walks 3 x daily

Answer 9

I'm not sure which side of OZ you're on so I'll state for the other poster (Great answer btw and I thumbed ya.).  That pasture is starting to come up now, winter (Which is just starting now.) normally means rainy season.  

Get your horse where he can't graze.  Keep him on chaffe (I know hay is rather dear there) BUT if you can, see if you can get some grass hay to throw to him once a day.  Keep the grain away from him and try and keep him somewhere that isn't turning green.

Best of luck.