Serious question: How do you spot founder before it gets bad?

In my experience, founder can start with tiny clues. I had a horse last week that just seemed stiff, and the owner thought it was age. Your mileage may vary, but I checked the hooves and found a faint pulse. I figured it out by feeling for warmth and looking at the sole. After a chat with the vet, we used a different shoeing method. Now, I always add pulse checks to my routine. Consider this advice, but it really helped in this case.

3 comments

3 Comments

the_kai3d ago

Wait, are we all turning into foot doctors for horses now? I read these stories and feel like I need to study hoof care just to have a horse. It's like every day is a detective show for feet. But if checking for warm hooves stops founder, I can't complain. Who knew horse health was all about being a hand held heater? So, what's next, checking the dog's paws for drama?

the_emma8d ago

Catch it FAST with daily feels. Feel the hooves for extra warmth first thing in the morning. I spotted founder in my friend's gelding because one foot was noticeably warmer. The horse wasn't even lame yet, just a bit hesitant. That early catch meant we could change food and ground fast. Now I SHOW everyone how to do easy hoof checks. It's NOT hard, just watching close.

lewis.mary8d ago

Seriously, I used to brush off daily hoof checks as overkill. But after reading how you caught founder early, I tried feeling for warmth on my own horse. One morning his front foot was way hotter, and sure enough, it was a brewing abscess. Now I do that quick check every day without fail.