Miniature horse lame on both fronts

[ButtonHerder]

For how long? What is her feed? How much and how often? Has this happened before?

I think since mid December. She gets timothy hay and horse mineral. I don’t weigh their feed, about 3 leaves of a square bale twice a day (for the 2 minis). It usually takes them half the day to finish it all. She has foundered in the past.

 

[ButtonHerder]

Bute can tear their stomach is fast! Bleeding ulcer fast, especially a mini. Be careful with amount and frequency. If not pregnant, I'd use "buteless". Its devils claw and while strong, somehow doesn't have negatives of Bute...except if preg.

Thanks, I didn’t know that. She isn’t pregnant so I will try and find some of that. Do you think it’s ok to give her a small dose everyday until we get her to the vet?

 

[farmerjan]

If she has foundered before than it is practically a given that she is again foundered. Your options will be limited I am afraid. Sorry you are facing that.

 

[ButtonHerder]

With both sore at once, can't walk, I'd also suspect founder first. Heavy bedding and stall rest, light walk on lead....NO grain!! Good hay 24/7

So I should be walking her a tiny bit? She never gets any grain. Will free access to hay help? She has never done well eating all day.

 

[ButtonHerder]

You do not want that coffin bone to rotate. You can pad her feet, soft material, like thick sanitary pads, to support the soles when she stands, duck tape on her feet. So the soles are level with hoof wall

Thank you I will do that. Do I have to change the padding out?

 

[ButtonHerder]

If she has foundered before then it is practically a given that she is again foundered. Your options will be limited I am afraid. Sorry you are facing that.

Limited how? Sorry I’m just really worried.

 

[Thefarmofdreams]

do you have a small holed hay bag? If not you definitely should get one asap. Hay burners on etsy has good ones, and a lot of people swear by hay chix. I get the smallest holed ones for my mini donks and the one mini horse. That way, the hay lasts longer when theyre on limited rations. With founder being an issue, I'd feed the lowest quality bales of hay that you have, in limited amounts. And if its possible, soaking it can help remove excess sugar and such. And try to find a mechanical scale so you can keep track of the amount of hay by weight.

I'm not sure how to tag... but @miniature horses might have more advice about how much hay you should be giving. I don't want to guess.

 

[ButtonHerder]

do you have a small holed hay bag?

I actually do have 2 hay nets, the holes aren’t very small but if I put both of them on that might work.

 

[Mini Horses]

The term "limited choices" means she has a chronic condition that can sometimes be controlled, sometimes not. It will happen without your being aware sometimes. If you have pasture, she could well had a relapse just from that! Weather changes the plant starches/sugars and just one or two days of graze could trigger it. Even if no issues before.

I expect she'll need to be dry lotted forever. Good hay but, low sugared...no alfalfa, orchard,etc. You may have to go with a special feed. Your vet should x-ray to check any coffin bone rotation as that is a critical "no-no" for treatment and care. Painful and sometimes not correctable. She may need constant padding. Something a farrier can do, if knowledgeable. Expensive as constant redo every trim. Not all may be needed, I'm just telling you things that may be and getting you ready. Certainly with repeated flare ups, dry lot would be best. It won't go away, will happen again without strong control.

Walking...only minimal as this is painful for them. No turn out, free activity right now. She does need to stand sometimes. Your vet will advise once examined for severity . Will suggest pain meds also.

No need to change as long as not getting wet...the temp pads I mentioned before.

 

[ButtonHerder]

T

The term "limited choices" means she has a chronic condition that can sometimes be controlled, sometimes not. It will happen without your being aware sometimes. If you have pasture, she could well had a relapse just from that! Weather changes the plant starches/sugars and just one or two days of graze could trigger it. Even if no issues before.

I expect she'll need to be dry lotted forever. Good hay but, low sugared...no alfalfa, orchard,etc. You may have to go with a special feed. Your vet should x-ray to check any coffin bone rotation as that is a critical "no-no" for treatment and care. Painful and sometimes not correctable. She may need constant padding. Something a farrier can do, if knowledgeable. Expensive as constant redo every trim. Not all may be needed, I'm just telling you things that may be and getting you ready. Certainly with repeated flare ups, dry lot would be best. It won't go away, will happen again without strong control.

Walking...only minimal as this is painful for them. No turn out, free activity right now. She does need to stand sometimes. Your vet will advise once examined for severity . Will suggest pain meds also.

No need to change as long as not getting wet...the temp pads I mentioned before.

thank you, I’m really anxious about what the vet’s going to say.