Laminitis, or founder, is a potentially devastating foot  condition that can affect any horse or pony. In this informative  booklet, the authors begin by explaining the events that lead to  laminitis-breakdown of the bond between the hoof wall and the pedal  (or coffin) bone-and why this condition can have such serious and  long-lasting consequences. Although laminitis is a complex condition,  the authors describe the process using simple terms and helpful  diagrams. The text is further enhanced by boxes containing additional  explanations, related items of interest, and particularly important  pieces of information.    The second section discusses the various causes and contributing  factors-conditions or situations that can cause laminitis or increase  the potential for it to occur. These factors include diet (lush  pasture, excess grain), body condition (overweight, cresty neck),  breed (ponies, Morgans, donkeys, Thoroughbreds), age (over 15 years),  activity level (inactivity, occasional strenuous exercise, exhaustion,  concussion), various diseases, drugs and toxins (cortisone, black  walnut, selenium, fescue), the horse's history (previous laminitis,  stress), various foot problems, and shoeing. The authors explain why  each of these factors may increase a horse's laminitis risk.    As the authors note, many of the possible causes of laminitis can be  foreseen, and therefore prevented.  This is the basis of the third  section, which discusses management strategies aimed at decreasing a  horse's laminitis risk. The advice is a solid combination of science  and horsemanship. For example, the section on Dietary Management  provides some practical suggestions for limiting access to lush  pasture, such as restricting turnout time, using a grazing muzzle, and  fencing off part of the pasture. At the same time, the authors show  how the riskiest time for a laminitis-prone horse to be on lush  pasture is between late morning and late afternoon, based on fructan  (soluble carbohydrate) levels in the grass. The chart on estimating  your horse's ideal body weight, using a simple measurement of his hoof  size, is a useful supplement to the section on weight management.    The booklet finishes with a page on assessing your horse's laminitis  risk, based on the number of risk factors that apply to your horse,  and a page of emergency care instructions if you suspect your horse  has laminitis. Rather than taking an alarmist approach to the topic,  the authors present the information in a matter-of-fact way and offer  sensible advice for decreasing a horse's laminitis risk. This short  book contains a wealth of information that will help you protect your  horse or pony from this disease.

Preventing Laminitis in Horses : a Practical Guide to Decreasing the Risk of Laminitis (Founder) in Your Horse

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

Mansmann, Richard A.

King, Christine

Pets & Animal Care

Paper Horse

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Mansmann, Richard A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Mansmann, Richard A.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Mansmann, Richard A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Preventing Laminitis in Horses : a Practical Guide to Decreasing the Risk of Laminitis (Founder) in Your Horse