Cavallo Laminitis Plan Series: Part 2
Welcome to Your Ultimate Laminitis Guide, Part 2: Managing Laminitis with Cavallos
It’s a horse owner’s nightmare. To see your horse walking stiffly, shifting his weight off his front hooves, or not wanting to move at all can mean hoof damage and pain. Here, we’ll walk you through what to do if you suspect Laminitis. How to simply alter your daily horse care to promote health and healing, and how to navigate your horse’s recovery.
In the first part of this 3 part series, we learned more about understanding laminitis. In Part 2, we’re going to cover managing laminitis and offering immediate relief with Cavallo hoof boots.
"What can I do to help my horse feel better right away?"
The instant you have a diagnosis of Laminitis, you must act to make your horse more comfortable. Provide a soft bed for him to lie in, and if he prefers to remain standing, place his hoofs in Cavallo Boots with padded insoles. Cavallo offers a range of pads that can be used depending on the severity. You could even tape foam to his feet while waiting for your boots to arrive. Ice therapy treatment performed promptly will improve the situation dramatically. Unfortunately, this window of opportunity is only about 48 hours, so you must have a keen eye to identify the situation and move quickly.
Make your patient feel calmed by providing the comfort of relaxed companionship, plenty of fresh water, and hay soaked to remove the sugars (or find hay tested to be in the best range of nutrition). Offer free choice salt and minerals of the highest absorptive quality to increase immunity, hoof health, and healing. Above all, if you have identified a certain food as the cause of the attack, remove it. When appropriate, have your horse tested for hormone levels, particularily insulin, so that you can adapt his diet accordingly.
"How soon can Cavallo Boots help my horse feel better?"
Cavallo Hoof Boots have technically advanced shock-absorbing soles, which makes every step predictable for your horse. They stop anticipating that a step could hurt and start to move more freely. Cavallo Boot soles absorb the concussive forces that would otherwise refer through the hoof and reduce the risk of pain when moving on uneven surfaces.
The result is an immediate difference in your horse’s willingness to move. Your horse’s stride becomes noticeably more confident. We’ve established that movement encourages blood circulation, hoof expansion, oxygenation, and proper overall hoof function.
When your horse can move, he is also more likely to be near his friends, which will, in turn, keep him moving and interested in life around him. Cavallo Boots provide the comfort and protection required for this ease of movement.
Check out this ‘Before & After’ from Shut the Door Rescue in Salem, CT:
Hagar when Laminitis first struck - unable to get up:
Hagar just one month later, able to move comfortably in his boots:
"Is it true that "moving is healing" for a Laminitic horse?"
The mental well-being of your equine is as important as his physical well-being. When pain is alleviated for a horse with Laminitis or any other painful hoof issue, your horse is happier and able to move more. Movement is your horse’s modus operandi. Moving stimulates blood flow, and the nourishing blood can work to the problem areas to facilitate faster, more effective healing. It’s also helpful to make sure your horse can see or be near his herd mates so he can be calm as he heals.
"I can see that my horse moving better with the boots on. Can I leave them on 24/7?"
Cavallos can be left on nearly 24/7 during turnout (we recommend taking boots off at least once a day to monitor for any signs of irritation and to rinse or air them out). To reduce bacterial build-up in your boots, mix a solution of 50% apple cider vinegar with 50% water and soak or spray into the boot and on the inside hoof sole regularly.
"Which Cavallo Boot style is best for healing?
Although any style of Cavallo Boots, from CLB (mini boots) to BFB (draft-size boots), can be used, the Cavallo Trek Boot is enjoying widespread acknowledgment as the best Therapy/Rehab/Turnout Hoof Boot available in the world. Not bad for a hoof boot that’s also known as the world’s toughest trail boot!
Trek has some great features that make it stand out. The Trek upper is soft, flexible, and comfortable for your horse to wear. Made of the same durable TPU (Thermoplastic Urethane) material as the sole makes this boot upper super sturdy. A slight variation in the compound and the hexagonal shaping makes it pliable, breathable, and lightweight. Also, Pro Mesh material resists soaking up excess moisture. Even in very wet conditions, these boots remain light, breathable, and quick to dry. Trek’s soft padded collar provides comfort around the pastern. The back area molds to the shape of your horse’s bulbs for a custom fit and added bulb protection. The simple front closure system makes Cavallos very easy to put on and take off– even among the very young and older folks who have arthritis in their hands.
"If there's no time to break in the boots, how can I use them right away?"
Providing urgent relief for your horse can still be comfortably achieved even when you don’t have time for the recommended boot break-in period. When using Cavallos 24/7, you can reduce friction with a new boot by using Cavallo Pastern Wraps, Comfort Sleeves, or even vet wrap. As you know, breaking in your high-quality footwear can take a little time. Cavallo Boots are no different, and may require some time to shape to your horse’s individual hoof. Try the boots for 10 minutes the first day and if you see no signs of irritation, increase by another 15 minutes each day until you see the backs of the boots shaping to your horse’s bulb area nicely. Horse hoofs vary, and many horses adapt to their new footwear immediately without breaking in.
Once in use, just check them frequently at first for signs of friction (red, shiny, or hot skin, hair being rubbed off). If the signs are there, hold off using the boot for a couple of days and then start again using Pastern Wraps, Comfort Sleeves, or vet wrap to give extra comfort and reduce friction going forward. These boots are the perfect compliment to a bare hoof. Free from the restriction of clamped metal, the hoof can flex, absorb shock, and circulate blood and oxygen– distributing nourishment and fighting disease. Check out a video I made about breaking in your Cavallo Boots HERE:
"How can I keep boots clean when my horse needs them 24/7?"
Air circulation is crucial to prevent the build-up of fungal growth and bacteria. Watch for anaerobic conditions during rehab and try to balance providing comfort and protection and allowing breathability. Cavallo Boots can easily handle moisture and mud, and they have slots for drainage and air flow.
When worn 24/7, a preventative measure can be taken to reduce the risk of bacterial problems by mixing a solution of 50% Apple Cider Vinegar and 50% water and spraying it into the boot and on the hoof sole regularly.
"Can I use just one therapy boot if my horse has only one affected hoof?"
If just one hoof is affected by illness, you might instinctively order just one boot for the affected hoof. But always use caution against creating an imbalance in your horse, which can cause other issues. Make sure to always use a Cavallo Boot for the opposing hoof as well as the affected hoof.
"Are the boots worth the cost and investment?"
There’s a considerable bonus waiting for you when your horse turns the corner and is active again. You can use your same boots to ride over any terrain at any speed once your horse is feeling better! Cavallo Boots are rated as the #1 Top Trail Riding Boots globally. Cavallo soles and uppers are incredibly resistant to rocks, abrasion, asphalt, and creek beds– and since they resist soaking up excess moisture, the boots are always dry and ready for your next ride, even in damp, muddy conditions. Cavallo Boots can see you through your horse’s pain reduction and rehabilitation to the joys of riding again.
Stay tuned for Part 3! We’ll share stories of hope & recovery after laminitis. If you missed part 1, you can find it HERE.
Cavallo Cares
At Cavallo, one of the most common reasons people reach out to us is for help with Laminitis. I’m proud to say that Cavallo Boots have a long, proven track record of keeping horses on their feet while healing from an attack. The relief experienced by a horse can be seen instantly. We receive emails daily thanking us for how the boots helped their horses. To say that my job makes me happy is an understatement. Every single letter that comes our way makes me smile!
Bonus Hoof Care Resources
Download your Free Laminitis Guide:
Be sure to keep my quick and easy Laminitis Guide handy! It has all the pointers you need to help you get started using boots to help your horse.
PLUS, it contains a selection of uplifting stories from Cavallo users who have successfully rehabbed their horse with the assistance of their Cavallo Boots:
Download your Free Barefoot Trim Manual & Video:
From age 10, Lynn Seeley had been shoeing horses. Lynn understands how the hoof affects the entire horse and went on to improve their well-being through the removal of metal shoes and trimming barefoot horses to health and soundness.
Now, with over 60 years of practice, Lynn shares his gentle trimming method through this illustrated manual and accompanying video (hosted by me!) This valuable manual should be in every horse owner’s library, either as a reference for yourself or as guidance for your Trimmer.
Get your FREE Barefoot Trim Manual:
Find more info about using your Cavallo Hoof Boots to help your horse heal from Laminitis HERE!
Check out this Q&A article discussing how to use Cavallo Hoof Boots for horses’ hoof rehab and why veterinarians recommend them HERE:
The Cavallo website contains research, testimonials, and FAQs to help guide you as you transition to barefoot and prepare to ride in any sport. Visit www.cavallo-inc.com for more help, or join the discussion on Facebook.
Sign up for Cavallo’s free newsletter and special community discounts HERE!
(Hint: For a limited time, get a 15% off coupon code as soon as you sign up for your newsletter!)
Wanna talk? Call us toll-free from the USA or Canada: 1(877)818-0037.
Carole Herder is the author of the number-one International Bestseller books There Are No Horseshoes in Heaven and Hoof Prints on the Journey. Herder has been involved in horse health since 1993. Her company, Cavallo Horse & Rider Inc., develops, manufactures, and distributes horse products in 26 countries worldwide. Herder designed and developed Cavallo Hoof Boots and Total Comfort System Saddle Pads. Providing comfort for horses is her passion. She presents educational training worldwide on the benefits of keeping horses in their natural state. Herder is an honored award recipient of the Royal Bank of Canada Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, British Columbia’s Businesswoman of The Year, and North America Enterprising Woman of The Year and a certified Chopra University Yoga Instructor and Ayurvedic Teacher. She is a trailblazer and a proud member of the Women Presidents Organization, supporting female entrepreneurs in every industry.
Wishing you many happy trails,
