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moving horse with laminitis caused by thrush

6K views 6 replies 5 participants last post by  tealamutt 
#1 ·
Long story...I had my barn's farrier trim my horses feet on his last visit because my farrier had moved away. My horse got trimmed too short and he took to standing in a mud puddle in his stall. He got thrush real bad in the front and not as bad in the back. It was so bad in the front that it caused laminitis. I had the vet out and he prescribed thrush treatment (I've been using coppertox which the vet said was fine) for a week and then shoes and pads after that.

I had a new farrier out yesterday and I was happy with the work he did with the shoeing and my horse was walking better than he had in weeks and was much happier and energetic.

Now, right around the time all this happened, I was looking for a new boarding facility because there's been a couple of things I really haven't liked at this one (don't get me wrong, there's been great things going on there too). I've settled on a new place and I've told them what happened and they're holding a spot for my horse. But I have some worries about trailering him right now.

This isn't something I've ever had to deal with before and don't know if I should keep him where he is for a while longer or move him asap (they've been letting him stay in the arena while the thrush cleared up but I'm pretty sure they'll stick him back in his stall now that he has shoes on and there's no other stall that doesn't have mud in it). I really could use the opinions of people who have experience with sort of thing.
 
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#2 ·
Thrush so bad that it caused laminitis? :shock: That's a new one for me.

I'd get your horse out of their ASAP. There should never be puddles in an indoor stall.
 
#5 ·
Long story...I had my barn's farrier trim my horses feet on his last visit because my farrier had moved away. My horse got trimmed too short and he took to standing in a mud puddle in his stall.
I was hard-pressed to believe the thrush caused laminitis so I asked the question of "Google" and didn't find anything that says thrush can cause laminitis.

It's those words "trimmed too short" that, in all likelihood, caused the laminitis. The other farrier most likely cut into the live sole and VOILLA! there's the laminitis.

The thrush did occur from the horse standing for long periods in the mud, in an attempt to cool his hooves from the fever inside the hoof.

Standing in mud to cool their hooves is a natural thing for them to do. It's why folks always suggest leaving a mud puddle in front of water tanks.

The severe thrush happened from lack of attention to the hooves which, is tough to do when a horse is in a boarding situation and the Owner can't get there every couple days. 95% of BO's and their help are not going to clean and medicate the hooves on someone else's horse.

It isn't this BO's fault your horse got trimmed too short but they have a responsibility to keep waterers, etc free of leaks not only for the health of the horses but their water and/or electric bill.

If you happen to be in a drought area, I'd be honked off if I was the neighbor trying to conserve my water while your BO was allowing precious water to leak onto the ground.

Point-being, if there were already existing factors that make you un-happy at this barn and the laminitis & thrush are the icing on that moldy cake, move your horse as long as the horse is going to a better place and you can afford to write the check:)

The thrush won't go away just moving him; if it's that bad, I am sorry but somebody is going to have to tend to his hooves 2 - 4 times a week and that doesn't just mean picking and pouring Koppertox in. I think Koppertox is useless in bad thrush situations but I'm not a vet.

The hoof needs soaked and scrubbed with a hard bristled brush (not a wire brush as the frogs are very sore and that will really sour a horse on hoof work.

You could soak each hoof for 10 - 20 minutes in a mix of a gallon of water, enough betadyne or Triodyne to turn the water dark brown and no more than a CAPFUL clorox. Then scrub with the brush again, pat dry, pour the Thrush meds on the affected areas.

If you don't have betadyne, Dawn dish soap is cheaper and is an anti-bacterial/fungal soap. Follow the same process.

Regarding farriers, when looking for the next one, I would be adamant in letting them know what has happened and you don't want the toes pulled back so tight the next time. Even if that means getting him re-set one or two weeks earlier.

You really shouldn't be riding him until his hooves recover from the laminitis and the thrush is down to barely noticeable. I would consider leaving him barefoot for awhile; it would save you some money. He doesn't need shoes for laminitis. One of my foundered on grass in March and rotated 8 - 9 degrees on the LF and 5 degrees on the RF. He's been out in pasture every day since in Boots with 3/8" partial foam pads.

His founder was severely aggravated by the barefoot trimmer that trimmed him too short and cut into his live sole. He also cut too much heel which resulted in severely strained flexor tendons. My horse was pretty much crippled to where nobody knew if he'd pull thru and walk normal again.

Shoes were never suggested by my vet or the equine podiatrist who now trims him. Just let him roam around with boots and pads until further notice. He's made jaw-dropping progress in three short months.

Hope this helps:)
 
#6 ·
There are several things I blame the barn owner for and the only ones that apply to this situation are 1) disagreeing with me that my horse was lame and 2) not turning him out even though I pay their extra fee to have him turned out. There are other things that had me questioning the owners as soon as we even moved there. I debated moving my horse for several months before finally deciding to do it. And part of the reason I had the vet out was because he was due for his shots and I wanted them done before moving. All this other crap just happened to take place at the exact same time. Now I just need to decide if he's sound enough to move or not.

My mom, who lives on the other side of the country, keeps saying that I should've just moved my horse when I started having my doubts about the barn owners. She's probably right but what's done is done and all I can do is trust in the vet and farrier to get him well again.
 
#7 ·
If you question the care at your barn, get out! And don't beat yourself up, what's done is done... but in my opinion you didn't get laminitis from the thrush. White line, maybe, but I agree with walkthewalk's theory on the cause of your laminitic horse. Get the help of a good farrier, cold hose the feet, get bute on board, you have to get the inflammation down to have hope of a good outcome once laminitis sets in!
 
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