The Trials and Tribulations of Founder and Laminitis

So I own a horse who is foundered and is prone to frequent bouts of acute laminitis.

In the past I have gotten bad advice from my farrier in dealing with her, and because of that she has continually gotten worse since I've owned her. It's gotten so bad recently that I've begun resigning myself that I may have to put her down soon.

But I've decided to take things into my own hands and give her one last chance.

So I have done hours of extensive research into curing founder in the last few weeks. I decided that I was just going to have to educate myself on laminitis and figure out how to deal with it myself. Sometimes, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. At this point I can't make it any worse.We have nothing to lose.

First, I've read about a specific trim designed to take the pressure off of the coffin bone and realign it with the ground. The biggest difference with how my farrier was trimming her feet is that you file the heel down quite a bit. I am also filling her feet every week instead of every six weeks. According to my friends on the internet, this is what makes the biggest difference. No, I am not a farrier. Yes, I now trim my horse's hooves. I'll let you know how this works out... But like I said, I have nothing to lose!

Second, I have drastically adjusted her diet. And added in a lot of supplements. I've never really done supplements. But again after hours of research on founder, this is what the internet recommends. (When professional help fails you, there's is always the internet! Haha... Oh dear...) I have actually learned a ton about various supplements and its been rather fun!

I read a lot of reviews on Remission and they all had really good things to say about it.  It has a lot of Biotin in it to strengthen their hooves. But its supposedly the magnesium that works to prevent future founder episodes. I picked up a bucket of it today, and I am excited to start feeding this to Lady. I hope to see results very soon!

 
Typically MSM and Glucosamine are used in horses with arthritis. But they are targeted towards joints so I thought it could do nothing but help. I am doing my best to try to alleviate any pain that I can in her front legs. I feed my older dog glucosamine and it has helped to keep her hyper and active!

I've then cut out feed from her diet and have been feeding her alfalfa pellets and hay. I've added in this multivitamin supplement to make sure she is still getting all of the nutrients she needs. 

Finally, she wears Therapeutic EasyCare Hoof Boots. Its a great product and I really like them.

Do any of you have experience with a severely foundered horse? What are your thoughts? 

Country or Classical?

I am so looking forward to Christmas break. I want to spend all of my time with my ponies!

I bought Lady a new winter blanket and she's seriously adorable in it. I have to blanket Lou during the winter even though it really doesn't get that cold. She doesn't hardly grow and sort of coat. Its actually kind of odd. The poor girl has many problems... Scotty, on the other hand, really does not need a blanket at all. He has the thickest winter coat I have ever seen! That is going to be really fun come spring and he starts shedding... Hair is going to be everywhere.

On a random side note, I really want to put a radio in my barn. I think Scott and Lou would enjoy some good country music. (Though, Lou could very well be more of the classical type...) The problem is that I don't have electricity up there. So I need some sort of good battery power radio. Something that won't die on me in two days. Anyone have a good suggestion?