Hi - there is a Mare named Muffin - who lost two foals in two years. The last one was 1 year ago. That time - she couldn't pass it out - and they had to do surgery - and clean her womb out.

She is understandably a bit touchy about anyone touching her tummy...she is a bit antsy..and will turn to kick you if you try to touch her tummy.

She is 16 years old. Her front hooves never developed properly - and instead of being a straight slope down..they curl up...so, when shod - they have to trim a little off...as she ends up walking on the soft part of the back of her hoof. They say nothing can be done - too many years passed..and it's only soemthing that can be corrected with proper shodding methods when young.

The main problem is that she is depressed and broody since this last foal died. I remember last year (around this time) when she had lost the foal...she had a lot of tearing in her eyes..and looked listless, sad.

She does NOT like one to go into her stall..she gets antsy. She doesn't ride anymore...but they do exercise her....they feel she's been through too much and don't want to stress her anymore.

Anyhow...just wondering...is there anything that would help her?

thanks..Lisa

antimon crudum 12, twice a day, 14 days.(longer if the hooves show bettering)

Thanks GM...will do and report back in 14 days from 1st dose.
(Have to order the rem!)
Lisa

Is the mare producing live foals that die or having spontaneous abortions?

The horse shorer said that she has the hoof deformity from birth or could it be a case of chronic laminitis? If the latter is the case, she should not be shod. If the pressure on her heel is due to a rocking back on the feet, extending them forward at rest, she probably was foundered in the past. (Pain could cause the abortions, among other things.) By allowing her to go barefoot the pressure would be more distributed to the frog. Frog pressure makes the feet grow and new growth is necessary, particularly if, by homeopathics, the new growth is healthy hoof. Foundered horses have a tendency to grow toe faster than heel. If not shod she can better ware off the toe naturally. Surprisingly, chronic founder hoof deformity is best treated by keeping the HEELS trimmed (not the toe) in order to get frog pressure. Perhaps the soil where you are is very sandy and they are hesitant to not shoe the horses. They might try one of the hoof dressings to keep her walls in good shape, pliable, and try letting her go barefoot for a while. (Even if not laminitis damage, the approach might be the same.)

There are other reasons for hoof deformity, such as too much selenium in the soils, hay or pasture but the long toe is a key for past laminitis.

Good luck to her......

Hi gpm,
Thanks for your help educating me on all the terms.

I just spoke to Beryl (my daughter's riding instructor but she is not the owner). She said that Muffin's hooves are in the state they're in becuase of neglect in years past.
I told her what you posted (I'm printing it out so she can read it) and she said that while this is not her horse, that she would like to see her relieved of the pain and suffering. (She also said if it were horse, she wouldn't have tried to breed her again and would probably have had her put down since she was such an unhappy and suffering soul - but you must understand she doesn't know much about Homeopathy..and is very open to try it to see if it will help Muffin and some of the other horses).

Anyhow, I told her that GM said Muffin might get new growth from the rem prescribed above (when it finally arrives!)...and that in addition to that, the hooves would need to be cared for constantly to guide the growth...is that correct?? (She nodded as if she knew what that meant, so I'm asumming I got it without understanding fully).

As for the Births of the Foals. Well, the first foal went almost full term and was still-born.

The second foal (1 yr ago) was only 4 months into gestation when it spontaneously aborted. Does that help??

I did wonder, myself, if the loss of her babies was due to the hoof problem (NB it is only the front hooves).

In any case, if you have any more wisdom you could impart, I'd be most grateful to you.

As far as the soil here - it is not soil - it is sand/rocks/stones! There is no way round that, unfortunately.

I appreciate your help - in helping me to better understand her problem....I think it will help me to better report what is happening..and try to get her sorted and out of pain.
Much appreciated, both GM and gpm!
Lisa

[This message has been edited by Lisa007 (edited 24 September 2000).]

Oh - one more thing, Beryl said that Muffin had not had laminitis in the past - only poor care of the hooves which caused this.
Lisa

They are indicating the mare has been this way all her life.....have they owned (hate the idea of "owning" a life) her since she was foaled? If not, it is a possibility the mare had been foundered prior to the present owner but here are other things that can affect hoof deformity. The reason I think founder is because of the front feet only being deformed....which is the big problem with founder. What GM has prescribed plus trimming the hooves for frog pressure (more often than normal trimming which is every 6 weeks on our type soil......so every 2-3 weeks might be more appropriate for her) is about all that can be done for healthy hoof growth. How long has she been with present owner? Has she had live foals before? Ponies suffer this more frequently than horses but I assume she isn't a pony.

Good that they (and you) care so much about her. Sometimes there is a lot of pain involved in trying to bring them back and it can take years because hoof grows so slowly but at 16 she has a lot of time to go yet. It is very good that they have decided to not breed her anymore because the extra weight is very hard on any mare with leg/foot problems.

Hi - I don't know how long the present owner has had her...
also - yes, she's a horse..about 15 or so hands high..not huge.

She's never had a live foal from what I understand, but I'll ask to make sure. (also, I remember Beryl saying that she was shocked when they bred her last year..as she had already miscarried the year before).

I suspect you're right - that she was foundered before...and this is where the problems stem from.
I have printed your suggestions and am taking them to the stables - to see if they can make some changes to help her.

I will also give the rem as soon as it arrives.

Thanks again for your support...I feel a bit frustrated...as it is not the owner I'm dealing with directly...and they don't mind me giving rem's..but to ask for all the other changes - well, I just hope they will yield and allow it, cuz I think we can help her.

Lisa

Might want to encourage the owners to letting the mare go barefoot........tell them it's cheaper than shoeing! (At least it is considerably cheaper in the US.) It's always much healthier for horses to not be shod, particularly if not working....much better feet. If owners are concerned with sand/stones in the area between the wall and the sole causing separation when in pasture, they may want to consider hoof boots when she's out and then take them off when in the stall. Good luck.

Hi, I am reading this thread with great interest as I used to be a stable girl when very young, (11-12years old). I cleaned stalls, exercised, feed/watered, brushed, etc. I have seen horses get shod, get nails stuck in hoofs, etc. cleaned and greased hoofs, watched them get broken for riding,(I was too big to break them, my friend did and always got thrown into the hay stack...etc. I have never heard the term foundered. If you have a moment could you explain? If not, don't worry, I'll try to look it up. Regards, Mselle