The horse’s muzzle, lips, nostrils and nose signal emotions, needs, and state of mind. Nostrils elongated usually combined with teeth exposed: watch out. Extended wiggling nose: shows intention to search pockets or engage in mutual grooming. Nose wrinkling: sign of annoyance, pain; with ears back indicates mild threat.

‘Stretching is typically a way of decreasing pressure in the stomach or intestines,’ Gil explains. ‘So if you see this in your horse, it may be because he has ulcers or low-grade, grumbling enteritis. ‘ However, it could also be to do with your horse’s spine.

Wet feet are a common problem Poor hoof quality can be the result of multiple factors, including poor nutrition, lack of proper trimming and shoeing, excess moisture, and genetics. One of the more common causes of hoof problems is too much moisture in the hoof.

Signs of acute laminitis include the following: Lameness, especially when a horse is turning in circles; shifting lameness when standing. Heat in the feet. Increased digital pulse in the feet (most easily palpable over either sesamoid bone at the level of the fetlock).

Treatment of Founder (laminitis) in Horses

1. Medications. The veterinarian will administer a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to relieve pain and inflammation.
2. Heel Wedge Cuffs or Foam Supports.
3. Cold Therapy.
4. Complete Stall Rest.
5. Surgery.

Recovery time largely depends on the amount of damage done to the laminae, and sometimes, horses never fully recover. But if there is little to no rotation or damage to the coffin bone, the horse could have a full recovery in 6 to 8 weeks.

Horses can recover from founder. It would be best if you kept your horse in a stall with soft bedding, preferably one with deep pine shavings or good hay to reduce the strain on the hoof. Chronic laminitis may be treated.

DON’T: Ride yet! It might be tempting, especially if your horse “seems” okay, but riding a post-laminitic horse is definitely ill-advised in the early months.

Horses that have foundered should eat hay. Horses that have foundered are prone to founder again, so feed your animal basic grass hay and a little alfalfa. Do not feed oats, corn, or molasses.

Laminitis

Laminitis, also referred to as “founder,” is an often devastating disease of the hoof that can cripple or kill afflicted horses.

Most horses suffering from grass founder are predisposed to the condition because they suffer from Equine Metabolic Disease and insulin resistance. In severe cases, the coffin bone may rotate through the sole of the horse’s hoof where it becomes infected and can ultimately end in euthanasia of the horse.

You can founder a horse by putting them on an insulin drip for 48 hours, or simply by turning them out onto the equine version of a Snicker’s bar — a green spring pasture.

WHAT IS LAMINITIS AND WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAMINITIS AND FOUNDER? Laminitis simply means Inflammation in the lamina. Founder is the term used to describe the catastrophic result of laminitis.