What does it mean when a horse founders?

Answer 1

Horses get founder in their hooves from eating too much grass. The nutrients softens their hooves and make it hurt for them to walk or stand. This makes them want to lie down more than normal. It takes many years for a horse to heal after is gets founder.

Answer 2

Foundering is the result of both front feet being sore. The back feet may be involved too, but the front feet bear 50% more weight than the rear so they usually hurt more.

With both feet being sore the horse's steps shorten and become slower making the horse or pony look stiff. At rest he will prop his front feet out in front of him while leaning back on his rear legs to help decrease the weight on the front.

Frequently, he will shift weight back and forth from one front foot to the other. As the pain worsens he may start spending a lot of time laying down.

If not treated, this results in the death of the horse.

Answer 3

Foundering is also known as Laminitis. If there is even the slightest notion of Laminitis, a vet should be contacted IMMEDIATELY. In mild cases, antibiotics or an anti-inflammatory may be administered as well as something to prevent blood clots. In chronic cases the treatment can be very long and expensive.

Treatments that are used for founder include removing almost all hay and grain from the horse's diet, a blood transfusion, lots of rest, no or very limited exercise, removal of shoes, keeping hooves in cool water or a muddy puddle.

Laminitis is caused by many things such as eating to much grain, hay or lush grass, drinking lots of water at a time when overheated, retaining the placenta after giving birth, having a high fever, sickness or any very stressful situation.