| One of the leading causes of lameness in horses | | | | laminitis, call your veterinarian immediately and |
| is foot problems - and it's likely if your horse has | | | | give your horse complete rest until the condition is |
| a problem on one foot, he has a problem on one | | | | resolved. |
| of his others as well. Luckily, many foot problems | | | | Keeping your horse stall clean is important to |
| are preventable and can be avoided by inspecting | | | | avoid many of these problems. |
| your horse's feet regularly. | | | | Bruised Sole |
| If you familiarize yourself with the most common | | | | Another common ailment of the foot is a bruised |
| foot problems, you can catch and treat problems | | | | sole. Stepping on hard objects or repeated |
| early before any permanent damage is caused. | | | | pounding on hard ground can cause the horse to |
| If your horse has any of the following foot | | | | be sensitive to pressure over the sole of the |
| disorders, visit your veterinarian to discuss | | | | foot. Although the bruising may or may not cause |
| treatment options: | | | | lameness, the horse is sure to feel discomfort on |
| Thrush | | | | stony ground. |
| Thrush is one of the most commonly diagnosed | | | | The treatment for a bruised sole is to rest the |
| ailments in horses today. Thrush occurs when the | | | | horse until the inflammation has subsided. You |
| horse's frog becomes infected and starts to | | | | may also want to fit a protective pad that covers |
| degenerate. The frog is visible on the underside of | | | | the sole. |
| the hoof and commonly has a rubbery | | | | Keeping your stall flooring clean and well-cushioned |
| consistency. It's useful in preventing the horse | | | | is beneficial for horses with this condition. |
| from slipping and acts as a spring as the foot hits | | | | Navicular Disease |
| the ground. | | | | Navicular disease is a condition involving the |
| The first sign of thrush is a black, thick discharge | | | | navicular bone, the deep flexor tendon and the |
| from the frog and a very foul odor, usually in the | | | | area surrounding the heel. This condition usually |
| hind feet. Thrush is caused by leaving your horse | | | | occurs in both front feet and is characterized by |
| to stand in dirty, ill-drained conditions and not | | | | intermittent lameness in the early stages. |
| cleaning his hooves properly. This can be easily | | | | The cause of this disease is thought to be wear |
| prevented by keeping your horse stalls clean and | | | | and tear on the structures round the navicular |
| hygienic, and making sure you inspect and clean | | | | bone, which is normally caused by poor shoeing |
| your horse's feet regularly. | | | | and circulation. |
| Laminitis | | | | Navicular disease is usually diagnosed through an |
| Laminitis is an inflammation of the sensitive | | | | x-ray, and surgery may be necessary to correct |
| laminae of the hoof. The laminae is a network of | | | | a severe case. Remedial shoeing is very important |
| interlocking leaves of bone and hoof, separated | | | | in correcting this condition. |
| only by a thin network of blood vessels and | | | | The way a horse's body is designed puts a |
| nerves. If the laminae becomes inflamed, the | | | | tremendous amount of weight and strain on the |
| hooves feel warm to the touch and the horse will | | | | legs and feet. Keeping your horse's feet in top |
| attempt to take weight off its toes, sinking back | | | | condition is essential to his overall health and |
| on its heels. | | | | performance. |
| The main causes of laminitis are grain overload, | | | | In addition to regular physical examination and |
| grazing of lush pasture, excessive exercise of an | | | | veterinary care, remember to stable your horse |
| unfit horse, and toxic processes within the body. | | | | in the proper manner. Your stalls should be |
| Ponies are especially at risk for developing this | | | | mucked out and cleaned daily, and any moisture |
| condition. If you suspect that your horse has | | | | should be properly drained. |