- Joined
- Feb 19, 2001
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Some of you may already know, but I am facing a crisis right now with my horse Racer. He has foundered, and founder in a horse can be a serious thing. To put it in the perspective of a cat-owner context, look at it as a botched declaw with no bandages to protect the foot. Add 1200 pounds of horse coming down on front legs, that no longer support the weight, because the laminae- a sort of force field around the hoof wall and surrounding arteries and tissue is dying or is dead, and you have the very real possibility of his coffin bone (appropriately named) breaking through the sole (bottom) of his foot, as it rotates out of the cusp holding it and breaks through the rotting wall around it.
The vet has no idea how he foundered, I am thinking it has to do with his thyroid issues though the vet isn't thinking along the same lines, and I have a line into some literature from UC Davis that will support my theory. Worse case scenario, we didn't catch it in time and Racer could go permanently lame, or even die, or on a brighter note, I am such a careful caretaker that I caught this plenty early and he will be on a long road to recovery, but he will recover.
Right now he is on bute therapy and we are waiting to see how he does. Come Monday there will be x-rays taken if he is not better, and he will be tested for cushigsoid disease. I was in the barn all night while he was in the pasture, because I had to keep an eye on him, coming into the house only long enough to refill on coffee and get warm. Although sleeping with the feral cats in the barn was quite an experience, I missed my warm bed and heating blanket.
Please those of you who really pray, add Racer to your list please. His light is dimming in his eyes and we had a long talk this morning. I told him I hate to see him in this pain, and I will do everything in my power to get him better, but he has to fight right along with me. He was a fighter once before when he was so sick several vets told me he would never be good again, and I know he can do this, but your help will sincerely be appreciated. If you don't see much of me on the boards, this is why. The only thing in my mind right now is this horse- he is my life! To give you some perspective on how he moves now, he rocks back on his heels and almost sits, reaches forward with his front leg, paws the air, places the foot down with utmost care, pivots his hips and lurches forward.
It's not pretty compared to how he can move, for he lives up to his name.
Thank you all-
The vet has no idea how he foundered, I am thinking it has to do with his thyroid issues though the vet isn't thinking along the same lines, and I have a line into some literature from UC Davis that will support my theory. Worse case scenario, we didn't catch it in time and Racer could go permanently lame, or even die, or on a brighter note, I am such a careful caretaker that I caught this plenty early and he will be on a long road to recovery, but he will recover.
Right now he is on bute therapy and we are waiting to see how he does. Come Monday there will be x-rays taken if he is not better, and he will be tested for cushigsoid disease. I was in the barn all night while he was in the pasture, because I had to keep an eye on him, coming into the house only long enough to refill on coffee and get warm. Although sleeping with the feral cats in the barn was quite an experience, I missed my warm bed and heating blanket.
Please those of you who really pray, add Racer to your list please. His light is dimming in his eyes and we had a long talk this morning. I told him I hate to see him in this pain, and I will do everything in my power to get him better, but he has to fight right along with me. He was a fighter once before when he was so sick several vets told me he would never be good again, and I know he can do this, but your help will sincerely be appreciated. If you don't see much of me on the boards, this is why. The only thing in my mind right now is this horse- he is my life! To give you some perspective on how he moves now, he rocks back on his heels and almost sits, reaches forward with his front leg, paws the air, places the foot down with utmost care, pivots his hips and lurches forward.
Thank you all-
