I would absolutely Xray. My pony started with abcesses in hinds. We kept treating as abcesses, soaking and about a month later, he worsened quickly and was diagnosed with laminitis in both hinds, with rotation. He was dangerously close to not making it…only had a few mm of sole left. Rotated about 12% in the hinds. We aren’t sure which came first, but he was Cushing’s, IR and despite that, because of how it presented, Xrays and other “proof”, we felt it was a mechanical laminitis, and oddly and luckily, in his hinds only. Either way, he had metabolic challenges which made him more prone. I would also want to see sole depth on the horse as well, and you should have a “baseline” Xray in case it worsens. Knowing what I know now, Xrays are your friend and a baseline isn’t terribly expensive. I’d also look at diet too and might be suspicous of IR and Cushing’s. He is now clinically fine but wears trail boots with pads almost 24/7 on hinds unless very muddy. We are very, very lucky to still have him and he is light trail sound too.
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