The horse with laminitis concerns me the most. You may want to look into what you are feeding. Was this, by chance, during or near spring when the horse foundered? Was he out most of the time when the grass was just starting to wake up? Spring grass, when its just coming up, has a lot of minerals and proteins concentrated that a horse has a tough time digesting. This could have been the culprit, in addition to what you are feeding. If this is the case, you may wind up with more horses with the same issue very soon.

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Posted by SEClint

New Orleans, LA/Portland, OR

Member since Nov 2006

48769 posts

Posted on 5/12/16 at 2:34 pm to FelicianaTigerfan

quote:
If I had a dog I had to keep locked up I might as well not have one

Locked up for its own protection. As long as they can exercise and get some air it's fine. If youd rather them be safe and alive, over in pain, dead and young..its the way to go.

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Posted by FelicianaTigerfan

Comanche County

Member since Aug 2009

26059 posts

Posted on 5/12/16 at 3:31 pm to convertedtiger

quote:
convertedtiger

Horse had foundered before and had a little rotation in its hoof but was still sound and being ridden. I bought it from an acquaintance that lived a few miles from me. Horse was turned out on native grasses at the time and it was spring. The owner said they fed it occasionally when catching it or kids came out and just wanted to pet the horse. I brought it to my place and it needed some weight put on so I was feeding 2/3 crimped oats and 1/3 10% sweet feed mixed. Additionally I had it turned out and it had access to rye grass that was being faded out by native spring grasses. Usually some white clover mixed in also

No doubt the change in diet did it. 2 weeks after having the horse it began to develop a small limp that within days became so bad it couldn't walk. 500 dollar kids horse turned into 1200 dollar dead one

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Posted by convertedtiger

Baton Rouge

Member since Aug 2010

2786 posts

Posted on 5/13/16 at 10:55 am to FelicianaTigerfan

quote:
FelicianaTigerfan

Yeah that sounds like too much grain and grass too fast. We live and we learn. If you run across that scenario again, try introducing the feed at a much more gradual pace. Especially if the horse is not being worked daily.

A better option to fatten one up is to feed them rice bran. Either get one formulated for horses that has a good balance of calcium added as well or supplement some calcium if the bag doesn't contain any. As with everything, add slowly to their diet. I hope your luck turns to greener pastures in the future!