Q: What is founder?

A: Founder is a common and very painful condition affecting the feet of horses. Known technically as laminitis, founder occurs when there is inflammation of the laminae (folds of tissue connecting the pedal bone to the hoof).

When there is inflammation and subsequently degeneration of the laminae (from an interruption to the blood supply), laminitis results. The damage may be so severe that the pedal bone is no longer supported within the hoof and rotates toward and sometimes through the sole.​

Diagram illustrating the detachment of laminae resulting in rotation of coffin bone.

Q: What causes founder?

A: The classical case of founder involves an overweight pony, with a good appetite and access to lush pasture.  However, founder can be caused by a wide variety of things in any horse, any breed, any age. 

Other known causes include blood poisoning following any systemic infection, severe cases of colic or enteritis, trauma to the soles of the hooves, ingestion of large amounts of cold water, retained placenta following foaling, and excessive weight bearing on one limb.

Founder should be considered potentially life threatening and a medical emergency.

Q: What do I do if I suspect my horse has foundered?

A: It is important for the owner to call a veterinarian to immediately diagnose the cause of the founder). The veterinarian should also take proper radiographs to determine damage, and the prognosis and treatment.  
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It is also important for the owner to call a farrier as soon as possible after the veterinarian has attended to the horse. Ideally, both farrier and veterinarian consult over the radiographs and decide on the best options for treatment. 

A tell-tale look of severe founder: the horse leaning back trying to unload painful front feet.

Q: What can the farrier do? 

A: A skilled farrier, experienced in therapeutic shoeing techniques, may truly make the difference between life and death for your foundered horse. Using radiographic findings and information provided by a veterinarian, a knowledgeable farrier may be able to minimize damage and provide pain relief and support during recovery.   

​I strongly recommend a Heart Bar shoe application on laminitic and foundered horses. It is critical to provide mechanical support for the bony column.  I have a high success rate recovering foundered horses, and this is due to my working closely with the attending vet and owner.  It is crucial that all parties involved are fully aware of the situation and agree on treatment protocol.

If a farrier is not immediately available, I have found that putting the foundered horse into soft ride boots makes a big difference. Deep soft sand would be an alternative if no boots are available.  Keep the horse as still as possible, in a confined area is preferable, and eliminate all sugar and starch from his diet.  This includes sweet feeds, rich hay and some supplements. 

Mine are not the only methods with which to approach the issue of founder.  There are other theories, which I respect.  The most important thing is to get help immediately, and treat this as the serious danger that it is.