THE good autumn rains have led to a few problems over the past couple of months. Under-used, over-fed horses, especially the fat pony variety, have been coming to a standstill with founder. A couple visited lately ­ their fat, cresty necks are bigger than a rugby front rower's. They literally came to a standstill and were lame in all four feet, especially the front hooves as these take the majority of the weight. They were typical cases of founder; leaning back on their heels to relieve the pressure on their toes. This also helps move the weight back over the rear legs and they often rock back and forth Really bad cases lie down to get the weight right off their hooves, which are usually warm to touch. Founder is also known as laminitis which is Latin for inflammation of the lamina which are the layers that cement the hoof wall to the pedal bone. During founder attacks this bond can separate and in extreme cases the hoof sloughs, or the pedal bone drops through the sole. Partial separation is more common and leads to a condition in chronically foundered horses called "seedy toe". This is where the white line widens and becomes chalky with dirt and grit pushing their way into it. There are a number of approaches to treat acute founder and hopefully prevent secondary changes. They range from drastic starvation to chasing them around the paddock with a cattle dog, or prodder. I prefer a combination of drugs, diet, exercise and regular hoof trimming. Most cases have overgrown hooves due to a lack of exercise, soft conditions and neglect. These should be trimmed as soon as practical. I can usually do this after an intravenous injection of phenylbutazone, or "BUTE". If the feet canít be picked up, the horse should be stabled on soft sand. Trimming the hooves helps the frog make better contact with the ground, which is important for circulation, and reduces the leverage exerted on congested lamina by long toes, helping prevent the hoof wall separating from the pedal or coffin bone. All rich foods such as clover, grains, lucerne, apples, bread etc., should be replaced with roughages such as oaten chaff, bran or pollard. Initially the horse should be exercised by lunging, or paddocking with a more active horse, then when the hooves have recovered sufficiently, regular riding. The hooves will grow quicker after a founder attack and it is important to trim them regularly, once a month initially. A lameness problem of a different kind associated with the wet weather and poor hygiene is joint ill in lambs. Recently, I investigated a mob of lame lambs who had been marked a couple of weeks previously in a set of old sheep yards. No disinfectant had been used on instruments, hands or the lambs. The result; about 30pc of the mob crippled by arthritic infections of the major joints. Hopefully most will recover with antibiotic treatment, but some will suffer chronic arthritis and be ill-thrifty. So when mulesing or marking lambs in wet conditions, pay attention to hygiene and use temporary clean yards where possible. Contact, (02) 4932 3474, or david.gardiner@hunterlink.net.au