Q&A for How to Help a Horse Recover from Founder

If a horse has foundered, it becomes so painful for them to walk that they spend most of their time laying down or standing still. A horse is usually put down if it is obviously experiencing a lot of pain.

Feeding masks can still let the horse graze. The best thing to do is to stall them and exercise regularly. That way you can measure feed. If you can't stall them, put the horse in a small area alone with little grass.

This is not serious enough to put her down, but it can lead to a disease called "white line disease" which, in most cases, causes a fungus/bacteria to grow in the hoof cracks and makes it painful for the horse to walk. You should talk to your farrier about what's best to do for your horse. Sometimes it's best to let the hoof heal itself naturally, but some need extra attention.

You should try to give a foundered horse nothing but hay and water until cleared by the vet. Ask your vet if Gatorade would be OK.

Just to be safe, and as he has had foot problems in the past, I would recommend you speak to your vet or farrier for advice before taking any action.

Horses at risk of founder should use large tubs or boots of cold water as soon as possible, before clinical signs are exhibited. However, if damage has already started in your horse's hooves, the result largely depends on what structural damage occurred. Your horse might stabilize and not get worse, but it also might not help at all. You can continue to keep your horse's hooves in cold water as long as you think your horse is at risk, as you don't have to worry about frostbite or other complications. The longer you can maintain treatment, the more likely you are to prevent founder or reduce the damage.

Many questions about founder don't have a definite answer, and this is one of them. Recovery time largely depends on the amount of damage done to the laminae, and sometimes, horses never fully recover. But if there is little to no rotation or damage to the coffin bone, the horse could have a full recovery in 6 to 8 weeks.

Recovery time depends on your horse's health, age, weight, and exercise. Some horses can recover in a month or two, some may recover in 3+ months or even a year or so. Talk to your vet and ask what they think.

Natural foods, such as grass and hay are good. However, you should definitely avoid corn, oats, and other sugars. The diet can be supplemented with oil or rice bran if your horse needs more energy.

Probably not. I hate to break this to you, but if the coffin bone has completely gone through the hoof, then you will need to a) get him emergency help from a farrier and vet, and b) rethink your management practices for not noticing it sooner. You should be picking out the horse's hooves every single day, no exceptions. You will need attention to detail to get through this, and unfortunately for your horse, not having done this so far has resulted in the problem.