Common Hoof Problems

poultice and protective bandage. The horse often requires pain medication and should be confined and closely monitored. During the daily bandage changes owners can soak the foot in warm water and Epsom salts magnesium sulphate to draw out the infection.
Laminitis is often secondary to another problem such as pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction PPID or equine metabolic syndrome. Because the condition may be triggered by rich pasture grass owners should carefully monitor their horses' diets particularly for the breeds that are predisposed to pasture associated laminitis. 
Although lameness may be the first clinical sign of laminitis owners should be aware of subtle changes in the foot such as founder rings or long toes and consult with their veterinarian to determine if there's an underlying condition that needs treatment
If your horse is diagnosed with laminitis your veterinarian can prescribe pain medications and take Xray's to assess the severity of the disease. In many cases therapeutic furriery can help by preventing the horse from putting undue pressure on the foot structures during recovery. 
Navicular syndrome refers to any type of heel pain and may be caused by a number of factors such as conformation problems soft tissue injury or improper foot care. The first sign is often a mild lameness that affects both front legs and may come and go from one day to the next. While treatment varies according to the underlying cause it usually involves the coordinated efforts of a veterinarian and farrier. 
By working with both a veterinarian and a farrier owners can prevent or at least detect other problems such as hoof cracks and white line disease in their early stages. Hoof problems are painful for the animals and costly for their owners, but Robinson emphasizes that many of them can be avoided if horse owners follow good hoof management practices.
Horses have evolved so that they are walking on the fingernail of their middle finger. Their hoofs are capable of bearing weight and doing the jobs required of them says Robinson. But it's a huge task and horse owners should do as much as possible to help them with that task.