Please help me. I need some advice....

I have recently purchased a 6 yr. old Morgan Mare.
THe only hx I have is -
Broke to Ride and Drive (she had driving shoes on when purchased, not sure to what exten the broke to ride is!)
Later I learned that she foaled pre-maturely (foal died)
and that she suffered foal founder

She does have a very tall heel and was shod very upright.
Her feet show founder rings but she appeared sound at time of sale.

My farrier recently removed her shoes and lightly trimmed her heel. Foot is now at 53 degrees. The mare appears mildly lame.
She is in excellent health otherwise.

I have a few questions -
What reasonable risks am I running of future foal foundering if I breed her and what can I do to prevent it (other than not breeding her)?
Can she slowly be introduced the grass pasture ? Is she at higher risk due to her hx or the same as any other horse?
Should she get supplemental grain?

The vet checked her out and offered very little advice. He felt that since her feet were not hot and pulse was normal that I had nothing to worry about. He said 'she has come back from her founder'.

Should I be using special shoes? Bar shoes perhaps?
SHe can't go barefoot. Her sole is flat.

I have front shoes on her.

Is it fair to say that if her feet were bothering her, that she would demonstrate this on the flat during turnout? The reason why I ask is that she is so nice to work with on the ground. Never attitude. Learns well etc.
Under saddle - she seems terrified (not defiant) for no apparent reason. Has runaway with me a few times (yes I know how to ride and no leg, harsh commands, whips or harsh bits are used)
Could she run flat out like that if it were her feet?

SOrry for so many questions but... I really need some advice.

Hello Iross,

Difficult to be sure about a couple of things without seeing the mare, but if she has horizontal rings in the hoof wall they can be the result of a high fever in the past, if so we call them fever rings. Best thing to do is to have your mare checked by an experienced equine vet and ask him to examine the rings in her feet. It may be necessary to make x-rays to determine if there has been any sinking or rotation etc. of the coffin bones. Always bear in mind that a horse which has suffered from laminitis in the past is much more susceptible to suffering again from this disorder. Acute laminitis can be treated very well with homeopathic remedies, but in the chronic stages professional help is called for ! We also know grass rings left by a grass founder. Also a very experienced farrier is required to look after the hoofs regularly ! I think it is usually possible to gradually introduce her to grass pasture but in the beginning not for long periods and our horses are given some supplemental grain, carrots etc. and bix as well. Be very careful and ask advice from an experienced horse keeper or equine vet in your vicinity,if possible, because laminitis (inflammation of the delicate laminar tissues that connect the hoof to the pedal bone) can be caused by overfeeding, esp.in an underworked horse, by lush spring grass and sometimes by toxic states in the horse`s body. Chronic laminitis is characterized by the development of concentric rings on the hoof wall, with curling up of the toe. Often this is first noticed when the farrier visits. An equine vet can also tell you about the necessity of special shoes and safe breeding possibilities for your mare.

Wim/William

__________________
Wim

Wim, the culmulative knowledge available within the members of this site constantly amazes me.

Hello Iross,

Perhaps you`re not familiar with the name Bix. These are round vegetable chunks for horses, sheep etc. It`s also possible to give silage (=ensilage) (In Dutch : kuilvoer/kuilgras) next to the normal hay when the horse can`t be put in a pasture on a regular basis.

Hello Passkey,

You may be right there ! But....never try to be both a homeopath for humans and animals because you have to switch caps all the time ! Haha...!

Wim/William

__________________
Wim