What does founder mean in horses?

Answer 1

Founder is the laymans term for laminitis. This painful condition can be caused by several different things, the most common cause is probably overindulging on rich food. This could be too much grass especially in the spring when grass is at it's lushest. The Harry Houdini of the stable that gets out of his stall and into the feed room to pig out on grain. Always keep you feed room door locked. There can be other causes too, like letting an over-heated horse drink too much water. And on rarer occations, a mare after foaling can founder and/or develope colic.

The symptoms show up in the feet of the horse but the condition is a whole-body illness. In the hoof, there is increased blood flow, the hoof will feel hot, especially at the top around the coronary band. The pulse to the hooves will be rapid and the horse will have sore feet, which may make him shift his weight from side to side, almost like he's weaving.

If not stopped in time or in severe cases the 'white line' on the bottom of the hoof will separate and may resemble 'seedy toe'. But inside the hoof is where the real problem is. There are bones inside the hooves themselves. One is called the 'coffin bone'. With a bad case of founder that coffin bone will rotate and descend downward. In the worst cases that coffin bone can actually rotate so far down it can come through the sole on the bottom of the hoof itself. Once that rotation takes place it can't be undone.

Laminitis is one of the most preventable illnesses for horses. A careful owner will limit his horse's time on rich grass or other food. Cool your horse down and give him only small amounts of water at a time. Try to keep your horse on a schedule. Horses are creatures of habit. Don't vary his mealtimes if you don't have to. And watch your horse's crest. If it is hard and convex in shape, he is probably getting too much food. And lastly, if you suspect your horse has foundered call your vet. Only he/she can decide if your horse has foundered or if something else is going on.

Answer 2

The term founder can have several meanings in context.

For livestock in general, to founder is to become ill from overeating. The body cannot process the food quickly enough and it causes distension and abdominal distress.

In horses, to founder is to stumble, especially to stumble and go lame. However, the name "founder" is another name for the the hoof disease laminitis (a tissue inflammation), which similarly can cause lameness if untreated.

Answer 3

Founder is another name for laminitis, a horrible disease of the foot suffered by many horses and ponies. It has many causes and one of them is too much grass. It is incurable and difficult to treat and recurrent attacks are common which is why its onset is something evey horse or pony owner dreads. Horse prone to laminitis should have their grazing restricted and any sign of lameness immediatley investigated. Heat in the foot is a clear warning sign - as is a thickening of the neck where fat is stored.