1. Topics
  2. cold protection for sensitive feet in IR horse

cold protection for sensitive feet in IR horse

kansteen5545@...
 

Hello -
I have an almost 30 year old Standardbred mare with Hx of founder x2 in the past with slight laminitic episode this past spring who now this winter shows a - I think - a sensitivity to the cold on her feet. (She will stand with her butt up against a wall and stick her right front foot out at times) We have lots of snow and temps have been cold. She is in a pen with a run-in shed and when it's below "0" at night or stormy, I take her into the barn where she has a stall with shavings to stand in. Now here's the thing - she hates being stalled - none of the other horses come in - she stall-walks but lately HAS been drinking some water inside, and has been lying down sometimes. (Outside, the horses have a heated tank) I like to keep her outside as much as I can when temps are above "0" at night so I am going to try wrapping her legs in polo wraps - do you think I should boot her also? And what about a diaper in the boot to conserve heat. OR - is is better for her feet to be in shavings? Or maybe a little of both so she is not inside every night?
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/echistory8/files/Karen%20and%20Bay%20Lady/
Karen
Scarborough,ME
May/2014
Nancy C
 

Hi Karen

I've been going through some of the same thing, starting with big abscess on my Morgan IR boy at Christmas.  I usually leave them out 24/7 except for extremes.  This year he definitely wants to come in to lie down. 

He's in boots with wool sox and  leg wraps.  The boots have studs. Even  in deep snow, he is nice and toasty. 

I finally found a place for bagged sawdust so have been using that.  It makes a big differnce, IMO, loading the foot more like standing on  a conformable surface.  My stalls unfortunately are cement floored with hard pads so this is a big help.  We're able to get the boots off on some nights, just to give him a break, and still keep him comfortable. 

No question cold can have an impact. If that is the issue, you should see improvement fairly soon after wrapping. I find when Beau points one foot he's usually got an imbalance or other mechanical issue.  It was how this abscess started as well.

Looking forward to spring.

Nancy C in NH
ECIR Moderator 2003
FACT: Analysis by the ECIR Group of the seasonal pattern of laminitis cases and the naturally occurring levels of fructan in grasses, has shown Fructan to be highly unlikely as the cause for laminitis. See  E. M. Kellon, VMD, The Internet as an Epidemiological Tool, 2013 NO Laminitis! Proceedings, Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group Inc.

 





---In EquineCushings@..., <kansteen5545@...> wrote :
kansteen5545@...
 

Hi Nancy -
Thanks for your reply. Are these human wool sox you are using? And are you only wrapping and booting the fronts? I have boots with studs so I can use those. How old is your Morgan?
Yes! I'm looking forward to spring too!!!
Karen
Scarborough,ME
May/2014

---- "threecatfarm@... [EquineCushings]" <EquineCushings@...> wrote:

Hi Karen

I've been going through some of the same thing, starting with big abscess on my Morgan IR boy at Christmas. I usually leave them out 24/7 except for extremes. This year he definitely wants to come in to lie down.

He's in boots with wool sox and leg wraps. The boots have studs. Even in deep snow, he is nice and toasty.

I finally found a place for bagged sawdust so have been using that. It makes a big differnce, IMO, loading the foot more like standing on a conformable surface. My stalls unfortunately are cement floored with hard pads so this is a big help. We're able to get the boots off on some nights, just to give him a break, and still keep him comfortable.

No question cold can have an impact. If that is the issue, you should see improvement fairly soon after wrapping. I find when Beau points one foot he's usually got an imbalance or other mechanical issue. It was how this abscess started as well.
tjwenham@...
 

Hi Karen

Here in the UK it is not as cold as your winter (although this year it is colder than average) but I have been turning my IR horse out in Thermatex Leg Wraps down to his coronets.   He comes in with really warm legs and his feet are also warm!   He does not have boots on.

The Thermatex wraps are thicker than the wool sox.   Don't know though if they are available in the US.

Best wishes

Jenny
Buckingham  UK
kansteen5545@...
 

Hi Jenny -
Thanks for your reply. I'm not familiar with Thermatex but I could check on line to see if I can find them!
Karen
Scarborough,ME
May/2014

--- "tjwenham@... [EquineCushings]" <EquineCushings@...> wrote:

Hi Karen

Here in the UK it is not as cold as your winter (although this year it is colder than average) but I have been turning my IR horse out in Thermatex Leg Wraps down to his coronets. He comes in with really warm legs and his feet are also warm! He does not have boots on.

The Thermatex wraps are thicker than the wool sox. Don't know though if they are available in the US.

Best wishes

Jenny
Buckingham UK
Larks Tabatha
 

Another resource for you all might be:  http://www.soxforhorses.com/


Sally in N. AZ

April 2013 
kansteen5545@...
 

Hi Sally -
Thanks for your input - I'll check out the website. Have you used them?
Karen
Scarborough,ME
May/2014

---- "larks.tabatha@... [EquineCushings]" wrote:

Another resource for you all might be: http://www.soxforhorses.com/ http://www.soxforhorses.com/

Sally in N. AZ
April 2013
kansteen5545@...
 

Hi Sally -
Thanks for your input - I'll check out the website. Have you used them?
Karen
Scarborough,ME
May/2014

---- "larks.tabatha@... [EquineCushings]" wrote:

Another resource for you all might be: http://www.soxforhorses.com/ http://www.soxforhorses.com/

Sally in N. AZ
April 2013
titancowgirl
 

I was about to suggest the Sox for Horses myself. The product is awesome, and Paula and her husband will treat you and your horse like royalty. I have used their summer and winter sox for years on all my horses- 2 of which were Cushings/IR &  one gentleman was 32 with ringbone . The winter Whinneys kept their legs warm, ( you can get different lengths) and  can be pulled down over the front of the hoof as well. I highly recommend them. ~Grace /NY 2001 Thor & Flying Feature
 
In a message dated 2/9/2015 10:30:18 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, EquineCushings@... writes:

 

Another resource for you all might be:  http://www.soxforhorses.com/


Sally in N. AZ

April 2013 
Larks Tabatha
 

I have used them on my Donkey's legs to protect her from biting flies, and they have been great.

Sally in N. AZ
April 2013
kansteen5545@...
 

Thank you!
It's nice to hear from someone who has used them. I guess I was worried about them being too tight. But if you've used them for years, they must be all right.
Karen
Scarborough, ME
May/2014



---- "sayge17@... [EquineCushings]" <EquineCushings@...> wrote:

I was about to suggest the Sox for Horses myself. The product is awesome,
and Paula and her husband will treat you and your horse like royalty. I
have used their summer and winter sox for years on all my horses- 2 of which
were Cushings/IR & one gentleman was 32 with ringbone . The winter Whinneys
kept their legs warm, ( you can get different lengths) and can be pulled
down over the front of the hoof as well. I highly recommend them. ~Grace
/NY 2001 Thor & Flying Feature
kansteen5545@...
 

Hi Sally -
Thanks - that's good to hear!
Karen
Scarborough,ME
May/2014
---- "larks.tabatha@... [EquineCushings]" <EquineCushings@...> wrote:

I have used them on my Donkey's legs to protect her from biting flies, and they have been great.

Sally in N. AZ
April 2013
1 - 12 of 12