An owner adopted a 5 year old Tennessee Walking Horse mare that was part of a group of horses
seized from a farm in West Virginia. Among this group were several stallions and a number of mares of breeding age. When the mare was evaluated she was checked for pregnancy and found to be in foal, but due to the nature of the history an exact breeding date/foaling date could not be established. The mares condition improved dramatically at her new home. She was given access to grass pasture while trying to limit the amount of access fescue. Even though she was on a very small amount of fescue it still affected her pregnancy. She showed no outward signs of impending parturition as fescue blocks the production of milk. Fescue toxicity causes premature placental separation, placentitis, prolonged gestation length, weak or dead foal, and agalactia (lack of milk production).
    The mare presented in labor, with no visible progress, on a weekday morning. On palpation both front feet of the foal were in the correct position, but the head was twisted backwards. Normal foaling position is a "diving" position with the front feet coming out first with the head between them. The foal was repositioned (much harder than it sounds!) and successfully delivered on the farm. The foal was dysmature, unable to stand on his own and had a weak suckle reflex (due to the fescue), a condition often referred to as a "dummy" foal. The mare had no colostrum (the first milk that provides antibodies for immune protection of the foal). The owners elected to take the mare and foal to a intensive care hospital  due to the intensive care of hourly feedings, intravenous fluids and monitoring of a down foal . The foal took several days to stand on his own and required plasma to provide the antibodies needed due to the lack of colostrum. The mare was dehydrated from the ordeal and also retained her placenta due to the difficult birth and fescue toxicity (anything over 3 hours is considered retained). She was also treated to stimulate milk production. Both mare and foal recovered and are now home playing in their pasture and doing very well.
    Fescue toxicosis can be prevented by removing the mare from all fescue (including hay) before 300 days of gestation. If this is impossible the mare can be placed on a daily oral paste at 300 days of gestation.

Dr. Lindberg with mare and foal at 4 weeks

Hind Limb Laminitis

    A 19 year old, American Saddlebred gelding presented for evaluation of a lameness of the left hind limb. The horse had been variably lame over the last several months. Upon evaluation the horse was unwilling to put any weight on the affected leg. Hoof testers were applied to foot and sensitivity was detected at the toe.  An abaxial block resulted in a vast improvement in the lameness.  This nerve block desensitizes the leg below the fetlock.  Radiographs were taken of the affected limb and showed 15% rotation of the left hind coffin bone. An equicast (www.equicast.com) was applied to provide support to the foot after rasping the toe. The horse is currently comfortable out in his field. Continual farrier care and follow up radiographs will be necessary to continue to keep the horse comfortable and prevent further flare-ups of laminitis.