Adding sand in a sacrifice paddock?

[UrbanHennery]

We have gravel sacrifice paddocks off each of our stalls and my gelding and mini mule have 24/7 access to them. This winter has been tough on Mo (she’s previously foundered) with a round of too rich/starchy hay and now very early grass coming in that caught me off guard and we’re battling mildly ouchy feet.

The vet and I are on it - have switched her to tested low-starch hay and cut all access to the pasture. I’m supporting her with some bute and blue pop rocks until we get it under control. She doesn’t like to be handled, so icing her feet and many of the usual steps are pretty much out.

The vet has suggested that we add a sandy area to her paddock, specifically in the area that she tends to hang out, since she doesn’t spend much time in her stall (Mo would prefer to stand in the pouring rain and blowing wind than be in her stall where someone might trap her by surprise). The thought is to be proactive so if/when she has an episode of mild laminitis she has a soft place to hang*.

How do I contain the sand? Do I build a big sandbox using treated lumber? Just let it migrate across the gravel? The obvious place to put it is a 10x15 area near her water tank, but it’s at the top of the slope and I don’t want it to all disappear over time.

Thoughts?

• Obviously the goal is that she not have future episodes, but every 8-12 months we have some small failure in the system that results in mildly ouch feet for a few days.

[msj]

I hope Mo’s feet are doing better. Glad you and the vet are on top of it. I’ll jingle a curb chain for all of you.

Just put down a nice large dump truck load of sand and spread it out a bit. I recommend a washed sand as it’s not as dirty. Mo will take care of spreading the rest of it around by rolling and pawing through it.

When I built my barn/indoor, the contractor delivered too much washed Mason sand for the arena footing. It was just too deep so I had him take out about 1/2 and put it in piles in the 2 sacrifice paddocks. The horses loved it and it’s SO much easier to clean them when they’ve rolled in wet sand as compared to wet mud! :sigh:

PS. I’m really envious about green grass coming up. I’ve got probably a couple foot of snow over everything and probably won’t see grass till sometime in March.

[Simbalism]

I read somewhere in the past that you can use peat moss for cooling/soaking foundered feet.

[SuzieQNutter]

You can dig a hole and put water in it so as she can stand in it to cool her hooves.

[chicamux]

My suggestion is do something that will really give her relief regardless of where she is standing. Buy a pair of either Easy Boot Transistions or Soft-Ride boots. As soon as she is tenderfooted put the boots on. The Soft-Rides come in very small sizes with orthopedic inserts that give weight bearing relief to the toes. They have a variety of inserts. My boarder used a pair for some time on her hoof sore horse and they REALLY helped his comfort level. The transitions will probably last longer.

If she doesn’t want to be caught or handled then work with her.

chicamuxen

[Calvincrowe]

Get a load of sand, and put it where she likes to hang out. I can’t see you putting boots on her, so a pile of soft sand to offer her a comfortable place to stand or lie down makes perfect sense. I am pouring a patch for my retired horses this summer, too. I’ve got the perfect spot for it–away from any food, slightly under a giant oak, away from the fence to facilitate wild rolling. Go for it! ( and jingles for wee Mooch! Ouchy feet are no joke.)

[walkers]

I have sand in my run in shed and in 1/2 acre paddock . I’m in NC and the sand we use is called Chapel Hill grit, it doesn’t migrate unless u have a lot of slope. We put it in 8 yrs. ago and just one time added another load just one dump truck worth.
What I have found is you must have a very good grader someone who really knows how to grad,use a bobcat. Incredible what a difference it makes in how long the sand last, how level and reducing run off.
I love not having mud to deal with…

[candysgirl]

I would just get a huge load of sand and dump it in a mound. Every horse I’ve ever met, enjoys this. They usually make a bed of sorts out of it and enjoy rolling, sleeping and playing in it.

[UrbanHennery]

Thank you everyone - I didn’t mean to abandon this thread.

Thanks to a change in hay, some bute, and some blue pop rocks, Mo is doing very well. She even showed off her funny little trot today. And she’s started braying for her meals again - when she doesn’t I know she’s not feeling good. I’m going to start tapering the bute over the next few days and we’ll see where we’re at.

Calvin is right - there is no way I’m getting boots on her. Just being able to touch her feet is a negotiation and not always one that I win. My vet is in agreement that we can judge her pain level based on how she’s moving and if she’s volunteering to trot or not rather than stress her out with a lot of handling.

In a nod to Suzie, she has a low spot in her run that I’ve been filling up with water. I also put a shallow muck tub out with water in case she wanted to stand in it. She prefers to drink it all and then flip it over.

I’ve been keeping her stall bedded super super deep and she seems to be digging that. Mini Mo covered in shavings is a cute sight.

The husband has promised me a load of sand when he regrades/refreshes my gravel later this spring. I think we’ll put it in the corner that she usually hangs out in - it’s nice and flat so the sand shouldn’t migrate too much.

[UrbanHennery]

[QUOTE=chicamux;8021331]

If she doesn’t want to be caught or handled then work with her.
chicamuxen[/QUOTE]

Chicamuxen - I, and her former owner (another COTHer) have both worked with her. She can be handled by the farrier, the vet, and me for short periods of time (she gets her muzzle on and off every day in grass season). But she doesn’t like it and it stresses her out. If I can avoid that, I will.

[MSP]

I had a pony with chronic laminitis and eventually winters became very painful for her. I believe it is the nerve damage like feet that have been damaged by frost bite they are very sensitive to the cold. So if this is the case you want to keep them warm.

It was suggested to me to try pain management and supplements to increase blood circulation as well as trying to keep the feet warm. My pony spent her last winter in great pain for 5 months; I just could not give her any relief.

She was very manageable at first but got progressively worse over the 6 years I had her. This may not be the issue now but just keep this in mind.

http://www.equinemedsurg.com/articles/insulin-resistance/pain-can-neuritis-laminitis/