Sydney Kotow

Twelve little ponies graze contentedly in a hilly green pasture during a perfect spring day. It may seem like the dream image to a little girl or horse lover but where the green grass grows, disaster can strike. 

Founder, right next to euthanasia is a word horse owners hope will never be associated with their equine health record. We go to every precautionary measure from muzzles to grass less paddocks but do we really know the villain behind this menacing disease? Founder, the aftermath of laminitis. It can start innocently enough; a horse eats the wrong grain, reacts
to medicine, is worked on hard ground or in our case, eats grass.

Laminitis and founder are often used interchangeably but they are two very different diseases closely related to one another. Laminitis occurs when blood flow is
interrupted (short term, constant or infrequent) to the sensitive and
insensitive laminae (the tissues that connect the coffin bone to the hoof wall)
of the horse’s hoof, causing them to separate. When the horse develops
laminitis the laminae experiences decreased blood flow, nutrient supply, oxygen,
edema, and death of the tissues in the laminae. Causes for the edema in the
laminae are blood clotting, swelling around the blood vessels, and restriction
of the veins, that in turn cause the blood to be deterred away from the
capillaries in the laminae. (Beadle, 1999) There are two main types of laminitis, acute and chronic. Founder and laminitis are often confused, founder cannot happen without the horse developing laminitis first and the laminar tissues weakening. When the horse founders the coffin bone tears away from the lamina and rotates. From there the bone can tilt downward until it penetrates the sole of the horses hoof. Generally, severity of
rotation in the coffin bone is measured in degrees. 10 being moderate and 40 being severe. Beyond 40 degrees the bottom of the coffin bone will become vertical and penetrate the
hoof sole. Over time a vertical coffin bone can deteriorate and the toe portion
of the bone can become flat. When the coffin bone begins to rotate, pressure is
placed on the toe of the hoof creating the “elf shoe” deformed look in the hoof
if veterinarian and farrier care is not called upon. When the coffin bone detaches itself from the laminae it never completely regains it’s former attachment and allows the horse to become prone to founder again. (Avisar, 1996)

Founder almost always occurs in the front feet and it’s easy to see why. A horse’s body was built front heavy with a long thick neck and big head. At adulthood the horse typically carries 60% of his body weight on his front limbs, putting pressure on sore feet with founder.
Founder can be thrown upon a horse in many ways. As caretakers we should know what the signs are and when to call the vet. Any case of laminitis or founder is an extreme emergency. Without a hoof you have no horse so take preventative measures and call the vet early.

The horse will usually come in from the pasture or out of the stall lame. Digital pulses on each foot will feel as if they are pounding, heat can be felt, and the horse will be extremely sensitive to hoof testers in the toe area. The horse might shift his weight from one leg
to another and walk with very stiff limbs. In extreme cases the horse will not
stand square and will attempt to put more pressure on the hind legs by leaning
in an attempt to find relief. Some horses lie down on their sides as this is
the only way they can relieve the constant pressure being placed upon their
sore feet. A horse that has developed chronic laminitis will have rings
parallel to the coronary band and bleeding or an enlarged white line area on
the sole of the hoof. If the case has been left long enough the coffin bone may
drop and penetrate the sole. In cases of neglect, death can be quick to follow.

Grass founder is a very puzzling disease, there are still holes in research today. It is essentially the same as grain founder but with different ingredients. Easy keepers are thought to be more at risk for grass founder as well as overweight, under worked horses. Do
not exclude very fit well fed athletes, any horse is at risk. Numbers of grass founder cases increase in the spring and fall; right when growing starts and stops with temperatures
fluctuating. 

There was a time when grass founder was thought to be caused by very rich green grass. Now we learn fall grass can give horses even more of a risk as it starts to brown and attempts to store nutrients to keep itself alive before the winter frost sets in. Research has
shown a starch like carbohydrate to be the delinquent. This carbohydrate is known
as fructan. Fructan is stored by grasses and hays for times of need like an overcast or sunny
day with cool temperatures. The carbohydrate is used by plants when photosynthesis of their cells slow or cease. Cloudy days or temperature drops make growing conditions for grasses less ideal so they store fructan for these times. When the sun comes out from behind the clouds or day breaks fructan production commences. Since the weather in spring and fall can change from warm to cool rapidly within days or hours the levels of this carbohydrate are highest to help the plant survive. (Christie, 2007)

Cutting hay during times of environmental stress such as an overcast day or when photosynthesis is not optimal will leave your hay with very high levels of fructan. When the hay is cured the levels stay consistent. It is almost impossible to test your grazed grasses for levels of fructan because these levels go up and down during the day and vary day by
day depending on the weather and where the sun is in the sky. Fructan is digested in the hindgut, fermenting rapidly and causing an excessive amount of lactic acid buildup. The
lactic acid kills the bacteria in the hindgut, which releases endotoxins into the blood.Endotoxins are essentially the dead bacteria. When fructan ferments the bacteria multiply so rapidly that they die off quickly because of the increased acid content in the hindgut. (Thomas, 2003) Endotoxins effect the cardiovascular system, which in return shuts off the run of oxygen and restriction to the feet. This results in laminitis, the weakening of the hoof structure, and ultimately the rotation of the coffin bone or founder. 

There really is no proven way that will help all horses recover from grass founder. However, first removing the foundered horse from grass and any grain or concentrates altogether, is a good method until he is sound. Cool season grasses such as timothy, fescue, and
clovers are at a higher risk of larger fructan levels. Although fructan levels
are lower in warm season grasses it does not mean the horse cannot founder off
them or that they have no fructan in them. Keeping previously foundered horses
off grass during spring and fall when temperatures fluctuate is a must as well
as never turning a horse out that foundered in the same paddock that gave him
the condition in the first place; he will likely founder again. If that paddock
is the only one accessible to you, grazing muzzles are an inexpensive way of
preventing grass founder.Some farriers can apply corrective shoeing and others are
experienced in the areas of the natural trim, which has recently been shown to
work in some cases even better than shoes.

Take the horse or pony off all grain and call the vet immediately if you suspect any
signs of laminitis or founder. X-rays of the foot can be taken to determine if
the coffin bone has rotated and what treatment should be applied. Some pain
medications can be applied to temporarily relieve pain but they only cover up
symptoms, not treat them. It is recommended to feed hay with 10% of fructan or less. This is one more reason it is very important to get a hay analysis. Alfalfa is a good alternative by itself or mixed with grassy hay to make up the protein and calories the grain once supplied to the horse. Some supplements on the market today help the horse keep the weight on without the risk of too much carbohydrates, starches, or sugars added to the diet. They could be added if the horse has a hard time keeping on weight without a concentrate or grain. Too many calories can be counterproductive in the healing process. Once the horse
has healed it is recommended to put him on a low starch, high fat diet to help
prevent a repeat episode.

Founder Facts

• For prevention avoid letting horses graze in the late afternoon/evening, when
  temperatures drop below 40 or the morning to follow a temperature drop.
  Overcast days also pose a threat.
  
• Brown grass in the fall poses a very high risk, as fructan has saved up high
  levels in an attempt to live out as long as it can until the winter frost.
  Wait until grass has browned all the way down to the roots before allowing
  horses to be turned out on it.
  
• Putting grazing muzzles on horses that are high risk or have foundered before are
  very good and safe precautionary measures. Also turning out in a paddock
  without any grass is a good preventative choice.
  
• When hay is cured fructan levels stay the same. It is possible your horse may have foundered off the hay instead of grass. Local feed stores usually can send samples of your hay to test for levels of fructan.
  
• Every case of founder is different. Every case will require a different
  treatment. Some work, others don’t. Ask your vet and equine nutritionist
  what nutrient requirements your foundered horse will need and any special
  things you should be adding to his diet.
  
• Research, research, research! If your horse founders, chances are you are in for a
  long and heartbreaking battle. Do as much research on methods of treating
  founder as you can. Talk to other people who have had foundered horses,
  contact specialist farriers and veterinarians. The more you know, the more
  you will be able to help your horse. Any little bit can help but when it comes to your horse’s feet, take all precautions.
  
• Gradually introducing your horse to grass can make the risk of grass founder
  smaller. Start with 10 minutes and add 5 minutes each day until the horse
  can be let out to graze for the desired amount of time. Remember, once
  horses are let free in a grass filled paddock it can be hard to coax him
  to come back inside. Hand grazing initially is a good insurance plan.
  

19 August 2011

The day time temperatures are starting to creep down, but to me " it is still hotter than hell" and I dream of the first crisp nights of fall and the smell of wood burning in my fireplace..... There is plenty of time left - but it is time to take a good look at our pastures and determine their condition and needs.

With little or no rain this July and August, unless you are on bottom land, you are going to see some distressed grasses of sorts. If you have too many creatures on the pasture and /or cannot rotate pasture use you will see the effects - short stubbles of grass intermittent with weeds and bare spots. Overgrazing is detrimental and one thing most people are not aware of is compaction of the soil is "a more worser problem" The rule of thumb in our parts is one horse to a minimum of two acres.

When pastures are weak and show signs of distress the tendency for most is to throw fertilizer at /on the problem. Wrong - Wrong - Wrong.  You will have green grass and spend more time and money cutting or bush hogging but more importantly you will be inducing  the chances of colic and founder.

You might be getting tired of my "rule of thumbs" but I'm going to throw another one on you. If and when you get the urge to fertilize apply lime instead. 

Take some soil samples  - have them analyzed - read the report - ignore the fertilizer part and throw lime at the problem. This will save you a bunch of money up front and in the long run you will see a better stand of grass which will withstand the hotter and drier climate we are having to endure.

You can apply lime anytime of year and best just before a rain.  

Determining the level of your pasture condition may lead you to getting professional opinions - something I highly recommend if you are not comfortable and sure of what you are doing. A good pasture is a tremendous asset not only for our animals but a very valuable one when it comes to placing our farms on the market.

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9 August 2011

With hurricane season well under way South Carolina coastal and midlands horse owners should be prepared for the worst scenario "having to evacuate". South Carolina Department of Agriculture provides the following information:

Please copy and have ready to use...

Equine Emergency Evacuation Sites
Facilities and Requirements:
Call in advance for reservations, and/or to check availability. All require CURRENT NEGATIVE COGGINS TEST. Contact: Marsha Hewitt, SCDA Equine Marketing Specialist, 803-734-0106.

The Hippodrome – North Augusta, SC; Tim Peterson at 803-278-4785.  

Garrison Arena – Clemson, SC; Charles Williams at 864-646-2717 .

FENCE (Foothills Equestrian Nature Center) – Landrum, SC / Tryon, NC; Melissa LeRoy or Patty White at 828-859-9021.

North Carolina Ag Center - Arden/Asheville NC; Matt Buchanan at 828-687-1414 for availability and rates.

Harmon Field - Harmon Field, Tryon, NC; Jason Kilgore at 828-859-5784 for availability.

Aiken Area Emergency Stabling
Buckleigh Farm (Aiken), Ite O'Huggins, 803-641-4441 (leave message indicating number of horses and your name and phone number), 125 stalls, Owner provides feed/hay/bedding, Owner responsible for keeping stalls cleaned, $10/horse/day, Some living quarters available (bedroom with access to a kitchen). No RV hook-up. Current Negative Coggins required.

Aiken Training Track, Sally Counts - 803-648-4631, Pete Krebs - 803-221-8403, Stalls for 20 horses remaining/Call for availability. Owner provides feed/hay/bedding. $7/stall/day. Current Negative Coggins required.

Camden Area Emergency Stabling