| Equine founder is a very serious condition that is | | | | occurs as the laminae die which causes the coffin |
| due to the complications and tissue damage of | | | | bone to become unattached to the hoof. The |
| the foot after one or more attacks of laminitis. If | | | | arteries and veins also become damaged and the |
| not treated properly, founder can cause serious | | | | remaining tissues around the coffin bone will be |
| and permanent damage to your horse. If you | | | | crushed. With severe cases of founder the coffin |
| suspect that your horse has laminitis or founder | | | | bone will rotate downwards through the sole of |
| you should immediately start treatment before it | | | | the hoof to the ground. |
| gets worse. Read the information below to find | | | | How Do I Treat Equine Founder? |
| out more about equine founder and how to treat | | | | The earlier that you can start treating founder |
| it. | | | | the better. Not only do you need to start treating |
| What Causes Laminitis? | | | | this right away to cure it, but you must also |
| Laminitis can be caused by several factors | | | | remember that this is a very painful condition for |
| including eating too much grain, lush pasture | | | | your horse and the sooner that you can relieve |
| (especially in the springtime), drinking large | | | | his pain, the less stressed out he will be. |
| amounts of cold water when overheated, | | | | Treatment options vary depending on the |
| overweight horses that do not get enough | | | | severity of the case but you should immediately |
| exercise, too much work on a hard surface and | | | | call your veterinarian as he may need to |
| stressful situations. Laminitis causes the feet to | | | | administer pain killers, fluids or antibiotics and give |
| become very painful and you will notice this when | | | | you other information. Corrective shoeing with |
| your horse walks. Most of the time only the front | | | | heart bars as soon as possible is a very effective |
| feet will be affected, but it can also affect the | | | | method to cure founder, however it is important |
| hind feet as well. | | | | that your farrier knows how to shoe a foundered |
| What Exactly Is Laminits And Founder? | | | | horse correctly. |
| Laminits is an infection of the tissue that connects | | | | Equine founder will not get better on its own and |
| the coffin bone to the hoof wall (this tissue is | | | | will only get worse the longer you wait. By |
| called laminae). As these layers separate they | | | | starting treatment as soon as possible, your |
| cause severe pain in the sensitive tissues | | | | horse can recover from this painful condition and |
| underneath the hoof wall. Equine founder then | | | | be sound once again. |