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  Discussion on Fouder and Grass overload
Author Message
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Nov 18, 2010 - 8:30 am:

What a month! I went out to feed this morning and only saw the old mare, called and called, no Sam or Hank. Flash whinnied over towards the front cow pasture OH-OH, All kinds of scenarios were going thru my mind. Finally I spotted them, looking very happy and FULL, better than what I was thinking anyway.

However this pasture has alfalfa, clover, lush grass and all the things the boys should NOT have. I would also guess they ran like crazy fools at their new found freedom...probably why the mare was staying away from them.

I saw them in their pasture before I went to bed about 10pm. Not sure how long they were out there, but from their happiness and willingness to come in I would suspect quite awhile.

I have been letting them on the back hill for about 4 hrs, which is similar to the pasture they were in. Everyone seemed fine, no colic, eating their hay,albeit slowly, since they were quite full

I'm not sure if I should do something or not. No heat or pulses in anyone hooves, but it's early.

Should I do some kind of preventative, or hold my breath and see what happens???

Thanks
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Thursday, Nov 18, 2010 - 8:57 am:

I think with your horses, I'd give something to prevent pain & inflammation, and keep them moving more today than normal. If you have had frost your grass has higher sugars than normal from what I understand.

The good news is if their hoofs are in good shape maybe it will help keep them safe? Keep circulation going sort of thing? Just a wild, hopeful guess!

If you spent time lunging or chasing the 2 around, you won't have time to worry about them, lol!

BTW, my biggest fear is my horses getting in the main pasture and eating all that still green grass. Two little strands of thin rope/wire is all that separates the track from the inner pasture.

Some times you gotta wonder how many more tests you have to pass, huh? ;-)
Member:
frances

Posted on Thursday, Nov 18, 2010 - 10:02 am:

Fingers crossed for you Diane.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Nov 18, 2010 - 2:00 pm:

I just stopped in to see how they are doing, I'd Say Sam and Flash are going to fine if I had to guess. Hank has me a little worried, he is definitely moving slower than normal, not stiff at all, just not much enthusiasm. I gave him some banamine, I think I detect heat in his coronary band. NO pulses tho. I HOPE I don't end up with a founder, I suppose he could be sore from running like a nut case (which I am sure he did).
Member:
jaynew

Posted on Thursday, Nov 18, 2010 - 3:47 pm:

Hi DianE, When I found my gelding with his head in the feed bin (of Senior pellets), because the barn help left the gate open, I called my vet and he told me to give him Banamine IM to hopefully counteract any of the toxins that may result. I do not remember the exact dosage so I don't want to guess at that and tell you something incorrect. And then he said to watch him very carefully for the following 48 hours for any signs of lameness or discomfort, and of course, call him to come out if he did exhibit those signs. My horse did not have any problems but I think he had only had access to the feed for about 20 minutes.
Hope it all turn out well!!

Jayne
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, Nov 18, 2010 - 4:20 pm:

Hello Diane,
If you think your horse has taken in much richer or different type nutrients that may predispose to gastric upset and/or founder I would follow the instructions in HorseAdvice.com » Diseases of Horses » Lameness » Diseases of the Hoof » Founder & Laminitis » Grain Overload in Horses whether it was grain or not.
DrO
Member:
scooter

Posted on Thursday, Nov 18, 2010 - 6:06 pm:

Thanks Dr.O. I'm not seeing any gastric upset, appetites are good, poops are normal. I did consult with my vet this morning and he said we could tube them, but he thought since I have been letting them out on the other pasture for awhile, and they are not fat it wasn't necessary. Tonight Flash and Sam still seem just fine to me, as a precaution I gave them each a gram of bute

Hank is going to toy with me I think. He still has a little more heat than normal at his coronary band, the rest of the hoof is normal, and some pretty good pulses tonight, he hasn't had them in quite sometime. He is still striding right out. I cleaned his hooves and he didn't mind at all weighting either hoof, his turns are normal. I gave him a half dose of banamine around noon, so thought it OK to give him a gram of bute tonight. Hopefully tomorrow brings a normal heat in the coronary band and no DP's. As the article you referred suggests, I think I will keep him on bute for a few days to be safe.

Thanks
Member:
scooter

Posted on Friday, Nov 19, 2010 - 8:11 am:

Hanks heat and pulse are totally gone Everyone seem just fine this morning, I think it was a close call for Hank, he was trying to sidle onto the softer ground last night, avoiding the hard ground if possible. The ground is froze like a rock today and he didn't miss a beat. NOW do I continue to bute him for a few days since he is back to normal I wonder???
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