About this Blog

Meet my very 1st horse, Lazarus.
I couldn't wait for Santa anymore or ask one more time for a pony for my bday (after age 30 it got embarrassing). I took matters in my own hands and I finally decided to pick a pony that needed a new home. Laz found me as I contemplated with this idea. He was sweet yet very sassy, fresh off the track, Thoroughbred (OTTB).
Join us for our re-training, rehabbing from laminitis and testing all parts of mixed up horsemanship and partnership, and luck...

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Fried

My brain feels fried....yet encouraged too.
I've been doing so much research lately on laminitis/abscess/diet that I feel I have a lot of new information and information I don't know what to do with...quiet yet.
So, I've decided a few things.
I'm concerned with Laz's feet...duh.
I am seeing signs of that his diet just isn't quite right. 
Why he is still retaining false sole on his right rear that isn't willing to let go?
Why all four of his hooves still have white line separation
These may be signs of diet, may be signs of trimming adjustments, etc

I am getting xrays done to his RH on Monday. 

I.am.NERVOUS.
Why?
The last time I had xrays done I was basically told that nothing more can/should/could be done for my horse.
Obviously we proved that wrong, but it's been a very steep, slippery slope and not one I chose to be boastful about. 
I am very thankful for the every SINGLE day that I have Laz.  
Do I think I have all the answers?
Um, certainly not. 
However, I think I have a strong drive and a clue about what could be done to improve his life and I think it needs to start with another diet reevaluation.
I'm not sure grazing is in the cards for him, with or without a muzzle.
I had a very reputable nationally known vet on the NO Laminitis team, email me today confirming that grazing may not prove good for him.
So, poor Laz is off again. Sorry buddy...muzzle is oh, 3 days old. Jeez.
Seems that I may have 'thought' that he was OK on pasture last summer...but the fact that he still retained false sole may be a "HELLOOOO" it wasn't ok.  White line seperation is another indicator she mentioned.
I would like the xrays to now compare where we were, to where we are.
To see if there is indeed an abscess
To see how/if we need to alter trimming.
Maybe ignorance is bliss, but I'm hoping knowledge is going to arm me with more power...and options.
So...until Monday.


15 comments:

  1. Hang in there, girl! I know, sometimes when we really educate ourselves about our horses' care it's like that scene in The Matrix when that guy (Morpheus?) is like, "Do you want to take the blue pill or the red pill?" and one pill leads to ignorant bliss and the other pill leads to the harsh truth of reality. (Did that sentence make sense to anyone other than me?? Lol.)

    Anyways, you're doing an AMAZING job of gathering info from all the corners of the earth in order to help your boy. It's sad that your vet (as many vets) is not up-to-date on all the latest research/treatments/etc. and Laz is SO lucky to have a mom who goes way above and behond what most others would do. I know that you always have his best interest at heart and will continue to make the best decisions regarding his care.

    Fingers CROSSED for those X-rays; Monday, I will be thinking of you!! It will be very interesting to compare them to last years' and see how much things have improved.

    P.S. I don't know if you still have Joe's #/e-mail; if you don't and want to contact him, let me know. That guy is such a font of valuable information and truly just wants what is best for the horse. He might have some more ideas for you.

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  2. Sensitivity to grass varies widely, and in fact some horses can have none. Pie's currently on only hay - we may try him a bit on grass later this year when (if) things dry up. You're right to pay attention to the little things.

    A supplement with chromium and mangesium in it may be helpful - the chromium helps with glucose metabolism.

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  3. Kristin - I posted my abscess treatment routine on my blog after your comment. Hang in there - you're on the right track. Have you read anything about what Dr. Eleanor Kellon is doing for IR and diet for horses? CHeck her out. For my girls, I really watch the sugar in everything. They get Triple Crown Lite feed and if there's any sign of soreness, I switch from second cutting grass hay to first cutting grass hay (they aren't happy about that). I'm still trying to find a good mineral supplement - I'll let you know if I find one. Good news is that this kind of ailment is really common and there's so much info and research being done. I like to read thehorse.com - lots of reliable vet info there. Sounds like Laz is being a good patient. My farrier also said that walking will encourage the abscess to drain. Banixx is also good for white line - you can just spray it on the hoof. I'll check back to see how you're doing. I've lived through so many abscesses over so many years - they are scary, but your horse is lucky that you care so much.

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  4. OHH, I say hang in there also!!! You are doing so great and you're a great MOM!! Again, all my fingers and toes are crossed for the both of you:) XXOOX

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  5. Victoria-Yes, I adore Dr. Kellon. She has emailed me some great resources about nutrition and trimming, although more to come. She feels that Laz being a TB it would be EXTREMELY rare that he would be IR, PPID, etc. She feels his case sounds like his laminitis could have been from Putomac which was always a thought of mine too from symptoms.
    He is reacting to grass so something is up and keeping him off will only be beneficial. I do have to do more research on his minerals, etc. and yes KATE-those that you mentioned are on my list as well esp the Mag. :)
    Thanks for the sweet support ladies!!!

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  6. Re Dr. Kellon's comment about TBs - TBs that have raced can be IR if they were on steroids when young and in training at the racetrack, as is a very common practice - the steroids mess on a permanent basis with glucose metabolism and can induce IR in a horse that might otherwise not have it. Dawn is slightly IR - she's a TB and raced - but in her case all we have to do to control it is keep her on the chromium/magnesium supp and make sure she doesn't get too heavy.

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  7. If something is off a blood test would be a good idea.
    As for false sole I trimmed a 31 year old pony today that foundered HORRIBLY when he was 5 or so. He has a higher degree of rotation in his right front and the white line will never tighten back up back to normal. Don't fret when you see his white line isn't as tight as it should be. A horse that has foundered the white line will never reattach as strong as a horse that hasn't. The pony retains sole a lot more than other horses. He needs a much more abrasive surface to walk on daily to help him shed that sole. He is also a 4 week trim schedule horse. He gets done every 4 weeks or he gets weird flares, painful retained sole and BAD thrush. Sometimes diet can be a contributor to retained sole. Something I have noticed with grass is the sugar is not good for horses feet. I did a horse that had lovely D cup (hehe) soles on his feet. Literally within 2 weeks of grass turnout his soles splatted and made him awfully lame, causing a few stone bruises and an abcess. He was x-rayed and did not founder or have any laminitis.

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  8. Kristen - Has your farrier come out to see Laz? I know that vets don't usually like to open up the abscess from the bottom of the hoof, but I've found it's the best way to drain and heal it. My farrier can use his hoof testers and find it in less than two minutes. The moment he opens up a track for the abscess to drain, my horse can stand without pain and walk normally. I still treat it to keep it draining and make sure it stays clean, but at least both me and my horses are not so stressed. Good luck - keep us posted!

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  9. I hope your vet visit is much better this time. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

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  10. Hey Kristen, I'll be thinking about you this coming Monday. I hope the x-rays come out clean! I'm proud of you for sticking to your guns & doing what you think is best. It's not always the easiest on the pocketbook! As I always say... He is so lucky to have you!!

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  11. (This is Sarah from Miles on Miles)

    Aw sweets...I wish I had some wisdom to impart that would help you and sweet Lazzie Boi. I too, will be thinking of you both on Monday. Anyone that loves their horse as much as you and is willing to go through anything to keep their beloved happy and comfortable should get a break now and then!! Hugs from me and goobers from Miles:)

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  12. I feel for you! The not knowing is the worst. The wait-and-see game is torturous! I agree with information-gathering. It can only help you in the end. Have you ever heard of Pete Ramey? He talks about separation of the hoof wall in a very interesting way. He thinks many times laminitus is not really laminitis at all! I am just reading him for the first time. I need to read more about what he is saying, but it sure is interesting.

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  13. Hang in there girl. I hope you get some useful info from the x-rays. I know it is challenging to integrate all the info you gather, but you are doing a great job of researching the issues and I know you'll come up with a great plan to keep Laz sound and happy. Don't give up!

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  14. Been thinking about you and Laz today! :-) Hope everything went well. *Hugs* to you both.

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  15. So frustrating! I'm glad you're getting xrays though and I can't wait to see what it shows. Good luck!

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