Strong digital pulses imply that the mare is experiencing inflammation. This can mean laminitis (aka founder) or other issues. If the Lamellae fail, and the weight of the horse and its movement force the bone down, it could crush and shear nerves and other complications. Anorexia, severe hoof pain and a reluctance to walk have all been reported as sighs of laminitis. Drinking cold water when over-heated, grain overload and metritis are common possible causes that may have something to do with causing laminitis. When the blood flow is restricted and it backs up, it creates a strong pulse that you can feel out and determine if the leg has problems. Since normally digital pulses are hard to feel, if the mare has sore hoofs and the strong digital pulses, it is red flagged as an issue. Each hoof should be tested for the pulse quality. Laminitis can be caused by several factors, from rich feed to retained placenta, pneumonia, Uterine infections and more. Some of these, such as retained placenta and uterine infections directly involve the reproductive system and may mean something is wrong. Certain drugs, cold water and post colic surgery bacterial imbalances may also be causes. Since the mare should be health to be bred and it improves many areas of pregnancy, something that affects the horse this strongly should not be bred. Breeding would stress her body, put too much weight on sore hooves and increase the inflammation.
Laminitis needs direct care, and depending on whether it is chronic or acute will modify treatment. Painful hooves may mean the horse lays down more and stays off its feet. This can interfere with certain functions of the horse, such as how well the horse’s blood is pumped through its system. Laminitis can lead to complications of the coffin bone and in some cases may be rotated or the coffin bone may come out the sole of the hoof. Though horses can be bred that have laminitis, they rarely go on to continue active careers. The damage to the hoof is normally permanent. If the sore hooves and strong digital pulses, some of the first signs of laminitis are displayed, it needs to be taken care of immediately. If addressed quickly, then it can be healed more easily. Laminitis is the second biggest killer of horses (Pullitt) and may take only hours to degenerate. How the horse responds to the treatment varies as well. It is best to check your mare and make sure she does not actually have laminitis before breeding due to all the complications.
McCurnin, Dennis M. (1990). Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians 3rd Edition. Philadelphia. W.B. Saunders Company
Christopher C. Pullitt. (2014). What is Laminitus? School of Veterinary Science. Retrieved June 25, 2014. http://www.laminitisresearch.org/chrispollitt_whatislaminitis.htm (Links to an external site.)
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