Applied Equine Podiatrist

Siobhan Dillon
DAEP, MIAEP, BHSAI & Int. SM

Shoeless foot care for horses

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Early Warning Signs for Laminitis

Project for Level 2 Studies in Applied Equine Podiatry

I have been involved with horses for many years in various capacities and have been aware of laminitis causing some considerable problems for owners of ponies with the condition. My direct involvement with it has been over the last 5 years though my own horse and my work as an applied equine podiatrist.  I have looked at the information provided by researchers such as at the Laminitis Trust and Laminitis Research Unit and know that I don’t want to have my horse at the first stage of symptoms that they mention because that already means a lot of discomfort for my horse and for me.

Observations of warning signs that a laminitic episode may be approaching, such as thickening of the crest and developing digital pulses, are often used to guide management of laminitics and they are generally well known.  I have also been aware for sometime that swelling around the sheath can be a warning sign.

During the last 5 years, I have noticed signs that seem to regularly occur before the shifting of weight, which give me an opportunity to make management changes to prevent the clinical laminitis described by these organisations.

To improve the management of laminitics, and as part of my Advance studies with the Institute of Applied Equine Podiatry, I am conducting a survey to investigate the observations that carers and equine professionals have made with laminitic horses and ponies.

I plan to make two surveys:

1. The first is conducted during November and December 2010.  The objective is to investigate the observations that have been made prior to a laminitic episode.
   After collating the results, I shall report the findings to those that took part in the initial survey.
    
2. The second survey will be conducted in June and July of 2011.  The objective is to identify the frequency, and possibly the order, of signs indicating that a laminitic episode is imminent unless changes in management are made, now that the carer or professional is more aware of the signs.

Do you have a horse or pony with laminitis?

Do you work with horses or ponies with laminitis?

If so, please could you take the time to complete a survey which is part of my project on the Level 2 course for Applied Equine Podiatry?

The results of this survey may lead to better guidance to help prevent and control laminitis  AND  you may be successful in a draw to win
a place on a 3 Day course for Horseowners and Equine Professionals to learn more about the foot, its mechanics and how to use the environment to obtain optimum health.

There are two questionnaires - one for equine professionals and the other for horse and pony owners/carers.

Download questionnaire for equine health professionals (pdf)
Download questionnaire for equine health professionals (doc)

Download questionnaire for horse carers (pdf)
Download questionnaire for horse carers (doc)

 

Win a place on a 3-day course to learn about shoeless care of your horse’s feet - complete a questionnaire about your laminitic horse or pony.