Hi, we just rescued a founder Clyde mare. She is doing much better, but the man who had her was giving her 2 to 3 butes in the am & pm and 5 aspirin with it. I have read that some farriers prefer not giving the bute because it causes more damage or redamage because the horse can't feel the pain. We prefer natural treatments when able.
She does stand and lay down, she seems comfortable. We do not have draft farriers around our area and the farrier who has been caring for her has been pretty good at caring for her. They were trimming her every 3 weeks, is this too often?
Also, her heels (front feet) are soooo soft. Shouldn't we be soaking or applying something other than iodine?

Thanks for any advice.
God bless,
Ellen

I personally don't like to evaluate horses on bute, since I don't get an accurate reading of the pain the horse is feeling, but as far as using bute, that is in the vet realm. If it is my personal horse, I may use bute if the horse is so immobile that further damage is avoided. If the horse feels so good that he is running and trotting, then I would back off bute.

The trimming schedule is not too often, if there is adequate growth, but it does seem pretty quick. As for the heels being "soft," I am not certain which area of the heels you are talking about. If you explain with more detail, I may be able to comment. Good luck, and God Bless you as well.