| Laminitis and founder are often referred to as the | | | | - Temperature and respiratory rate increases |
| same thing, however founder is the damage and | | | | - May sweat heavily |
| complications of what occurs after a horse gets | | | | - Shifting his weight from one foot to the other |
| laminitis. If your horse is susceptible to founder or | | | | while standing |
| you think that he has foundered due to laminitis, it | | | | - While walking he will take short quick steps |
| is very important to know the horse founder | | | | - Turns in circles, shifting weight from one foot to |
| symptoms so that you can seek medical | | | | the other |
| attention for your horse as soon as possible. This | | | | - Pain in the toe region when pressure is applied |
| is a very painful condition of the foot and founder | | | | - He may have a reluctant or hesitant gait and |
| will not get better on its own. | | | | look like he is walking on eggshells |
| The symptoms of laminitis/founder are: | | | | Chronic laminitis/founder symptoms are: |
| - Lameness - If only the front feet are sore, the | | | | - Ring formations on the hoof wall that become |
| horse will stand with his hind legs up under his | | | | wider from toe to heel |
| body so that he is carrying most of the weight | | | | - The hoof wall may separate from the sensitive |
| on his hind legs. His front legs will be placed | | | | laminae in the toe area creating a widened white |
| forward with the weight on his heels. If all four | | | | line, (also known as seedy toe) which can lead to |
| feet are affected, he will be laying down for long | | | | blood pockets or abscesses |
| periods of time and may not want to get up | | | | - Bruised soles |
| - He will turn by leaning back and pivoting around | | | | - Dropped soles or flat feet |
| on the rear legs | | | | - Thick cresty neck |
| - He will stand with all four feet toward each | | | | - Dished hooves (this occurs when the heels grow |
| other underneath the center of his body | | | | faster than the rest of the hoof) |
| - Heavy breathing | | | | Treatment of laminitis or founder will depend upon |
| - Glazed eyes because of pain | | | | the cause and severity of the condition. It is very |
| - The feet will feel warm or hot to the touch | | | | important that you call your veterinarian at the |
| - The digital artery, located just above the fetlock | | | | first signs of horse founder symptoms and he or |
| joint will have a pounding pulse | | | | she can make a diagnosis and a plan for |
| - The sole of the hoof will be tender and painful | | | | treatment. |
| - Anxiety or muscular trembling | | | | |