I went over early to feed the boys and take Ziggy out for a quick hack. They were standing at the top of the field, sunbathing with a friend on the other side of the fence. Mattie cantered down for his feed: Ziggy walked, very slowly. This isn't like him so I watched him walk - I am always on laminitis alert at this time of year - but he wasn't lame at all. I put him in the shelter to feed him and he ate with gusto. He was shivering, but he has shivered a couple of times since he was clipped out so I thought it would just help get the weight off.
When I went to lift his feet he wouldn't lift his left front at all. I was worried and asked him to move. He wouldn't move. I put his halter on and he followed me out and did a couple of circles in walk, slowly, looking stiff and sore. I found it hard to get him back in the shelter and when he did get back in he stood camped under. I tried again to lift his feet and he lifted obediently all except the left fore - he tilted his right hind instead as if to say, "I can't, because of this one."
I put a stable fleece on him and left him in with hay. I don't think it's laminitis because in Ziggy that presents with sore front feet and general lameness. Could it be tying-up because he got cold? Poor little chap, I did feel sorry for him, but apart from the reluctance to move he seemed bright and happy. All suggestions gratefully received.
When I went to lift his feet he wouldn't lift his left front at all. I was worried and asked him to move. He wouldn't move. I put his halter on and he followed me out and did a couple of circles in walk, slowly, looking stiff and sore. I found it hard to get him back in the shelter and when he did get back in he stood camped under. I tried again to lift his feet and he lifted obediently all except the left fore - he tilted his right hind instead as if to say, "I can't, because of this one."
I put a stable fleece on him and left him in with hay. I don't think it's laminitis because in Ziggy that presents with sore front feet and general lameness. Could it be tying-up because he got cold? Poor little chap, I did feel sorry for him, but apart from the reluctance to move he seemed bright and happy. All suggestions gratefully received.