Need Info on How to Feed a Foundered Horse...

sparkyharky · 05-18-2007, 03:02 PM

Okay...When I bought my horses I suspected the mare had foundered but I was not certain. It turns out she had foundered before I got her. Now I need what the dietary restrictions are for this horse as I have two and the mare cannot have the same type things the stallion can have. I need to know what the things are that she can AND cannot have. Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated. I already know I need to get her feet X rayed and get a vet and farrier that will work together so we can get her properly treated. My main concern is her diet. Anyone out there that can help me out with this???

xcjmpr · 05-18-2007, 03:19 PM

LOW protein, LOW sugar diet basically. I've got a foundered one that does very well on orchard grass hay and a small amount of beet pulp + whole oats as food, has 24/7 access to mineral block, he's on a dry lot for turnout, going out on the grass pasture no more than 4 hours a day.

If she's a harder keeper, a supplement called Mare Plus works wonders, has all the vit/min they need so that you don't have to give a lot of grain.

There's a lot of good info about founder on this forum and the internet if you search a little.

miss leanne · 05-18-2007, 03:45 PM

Exactly what xcjmpr said. Keep her off lush grass for any extended period of time, keep her off any hardcore carbs like sweet feed or really leafy alfalfa. Very important.

My cousin just got a mare that was foundered BAD and left to abscess

, she got her for free and she is bred really really well and has been a really good cutting horse (she was foundered by ignorance

), so she's going to try and get her sound and breed her. She's got her on some sort of Platinum supplement, she couldn't remember the name

, but I'll ask again tomorrow when I see her.

beth55051 · 05-18-2007, 04:14 PM

Platinum Hoof Health Formula??

Animed also has a supplement out called Remission for horses prone to founder. I'm sure other companies also have their own that's just the one I know of.

miss leanne · 05-18-2007, 04:16 PM

Maybe, I'll have to ask. It's something the vet recommended, and it's helped another gelding she's got with ringbone. Good stuff, but spendy.

eieio · 05-18-2007, 04:56 PM

Got to your local feed dealer that sells Seminole and get some Happy Hoof! It is the only recommended feed for horses in full blown laminitis (founder) this is the feed used for laminitis horses at Auburn University, Tuskegee Vet School and many others Check it out at:
http://www.spillersseminole.com/Proc...appyHoofPS.htm
You are blessed to be near Seminole, talk to your vet and discuss which one of the low starch feeds your horse would do the best on. I drove 90 miles one way to get Seminole for Lilly when she foundered three years ago. We kept her on Happy Hoof since that time and have had no return founder problems and she never missed her "grain". Her coat improved and her feet improved ten fold!

sparkyharky · 05-25-2007, 03:02 PM

Just wanted to thank everyone for their replies. I will check out all suggestions as soon as I talk to my vet and farrier....

05-18-2007, 03:02 PM
sparkyharky Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 836	Need Info on How to Feed a Foundered Horse... Okay...When I bought my horses I suspected the mare had foundered but I was not certain. It turns out she had foundered before I got her. Now I need what the dietary restrictions are for this horse as I have two and the mare cannot have the same type things the stallion can have. I need to know what the things are that she can AND cannot have. Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated. I already know I need to get her feet X rayed and get a vet and farrier that will work together so we can get her properly treated. My main concern is her diet. Anyone out there that can help me out with this??? __________________ In Loving Memory of my mother: Leona T. Harkenreader September 19, 1936 to November 23, 2007. You are missed!

05-18-2007, 03:19 PM
xcjmpr Yearling Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 919	LOW protein, LOW sugar diet basically. I've got a foundered one that does very well on orchard grass hay and a small amount of beet pulp + whole oats as food, has 24/7 access to mineral block, he's on a dry lot for turnout, going out on the grass pasture no more than 4 hours a day. If she's a harder keeper, a supplement called Mare Plus works wonders, has all the vit/min they need so that you don't have to give a lot of grain. There's a lot of good info about founder on this forum and the internet if you search a little.

05-18-2007, 03:45 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,524	Exactly what xcjmpr said. Keep her off lush grass for any extended period of time, keep her off any hardcore carbs like sweet feed or really leafy alfalfa. Very important. My cousin just got a mare that was foundered BAD and left to abscess , she got her for free and she is bred really really well and has been a really good cutting horse (she was foundered by ignorance ), so she's going to try and get her sound and breed her. She's got her on some sort of Platinum supplement, she couldn't remember the name , but I'll ask again tomorrow when I see her.

05-18-2007, 04:14 PM
beth55051 Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: East Central Minnesota Posts: 7,977	Platinum Hoof Health Formula?? Animed also has a supplement out called Remission for horses prone to founder. I'm sure other companies also have their own that's just the one I know of. __________________ *Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened.*

05-18-2007, 04:16 PM
miss leanne Seasoned Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,524	Maybe, I'll have to ask. It's something the vet recommended, and it's helped another gelding she's got with ringbone. Good stuff, but spendy.

05-18-2007, 04:56 PM
eieio Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,138	Got to your local feed dealer that sells Seminole and get some Happy Hoof! It is the only recommended feed for horses in full blown laminitis (founder) this is the feed used for laminitis horses at Auburn University, Tuskegee Vet School and many others Check it out at: http://www.spillersseminole.com/Proc...appyHoofPS.htm You are blessed to be near Seminole, talk to your vet and discuss which one of the low starch feeds your horse would do the best on. I drove 90 miles one way to get Seminole for Lilly when she foundered three years ago. We kept her on Happy Hoof since that time and have had no return founder problems and she never missed her "grain". Her coat improved and her feet improved ten fold! __________________ There is no such thing as a always or never in the horse world. Say that one time and some horse some where will prove you wrong!.

05-25-2007, 03:02 PM
sparkyharky Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 836	Just wanted to thank everyone for their replies. I will check out all suggestions as soon as I talk to my vet and farrier.... __________________ In Loving Memory of my mother: Leona T. Harkenreader September 19, 1936 to November 23, 2007. You are missed!