>>>> On Monday, Safi my 7yr old gelding, was diagnosed with "MILD, mechanical laminitis"
First of all, I'm very, very sorry to hear about this. I've gone through laminitis three times with two horses, and it's hard on the horses...and no cakewalk for the owner either. I hope he improves soon, for both your sakes. Second, I didn't quite catch if the vet did x-rays? If not, does he/she plan to? >>> which means it was NOT caused by food or grain. But rather, his physical condition, I think MOST laminitis cases come from internal, systemic causes, so the old "blame the owner for overfeeding" mentality is generally quite misplaced. I can't tell you how guilty I felt when my first horse was diagnosed, but research has shown me that it wasn't really anything I did wrong. It's bad enough to see your horse suffer, without feeling guilty for something you have limited control over. Please don't spend too much time blaming yourself, but instead, try to learn everything you can about moving forward. >>>> The new farrier took off 1/4 to 1/2" of toe. Are you sure about that, or did you just guesstimate that amount? That's about what my farrier trims from most of my horses about every month. If his toes were long to begin with, that doesn't sound like he trimmed very much...? >>> BUT... the vet showed me how to check weight by observing "fat pads" he's got `em on his crest, has love handles in the girth & sheath area and he has butt cheeks! This puzzles me too - if the horse has symptoms of IR/Cushing/whatever (the usual suspects when looking for a root cause for founder) then how is she/he positive this case is mechanical, and not from a systemic, endocrine-driven cause, like thyroid, Cushing's, or IR? Good luck. Please, just beware that just because a farrier is of a particular "type" doesn't mean he's particularly good or experienced. I have been talking to someone recently who's been going through a mechanical founder with her horse...and I'm pretty sure they are convinced the cause is from an improper job of "Natural Balance" trimming and/or shoeing. Just beware that there are poor farriers of about any so-called genre...first and foremost, look for a GOOD, EXPERIENCED farrier. Words of encouragement: all three cases we've had resolved with great results and the horses returned to barefoot and to work within a couple of months...but only after we went to work to address the root cause. I remember what my farrier told me as I was frantic the first time: "Don't' worry about the feet. I can fix the feet. Worry about finding and fixing the CAUSE and the feet will be fine." He was certainly right. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
