Ride pony 'on edge of laminitis'?

[Horseo]

Advice greatly appreciated. I ride a pony (14.2, lives out), who does not belong to me. Farrier has advised owner (yesterday) he is 'on the verge of laminitis'. He seems to be foot sore, and is seeking out soft ground. His hooves feel warm. He is overweight. Farrier advised keeping him in 12 hours a day. Owner has asked for him to ridden (on grass) regularly as this will be good for him and help. Everything I've read says the opposite, but I think it depends on the extent/stage. When is it actual laminitis and not 'on the verge of'? I love him (as does his owner) and want to do what's best for him. Should he be ridden or kept still and definitely not ridden? Any advice please!

He needs to lose weight as #1 priority. Taken off all hard feed, only feed soaked hay and grass intake limited via grazing muzzle.
Laminitis kills.
He needs vet out, x rays to see state of pedal bone + ACTH test to test for PPID.

He’s lane and got warm feet- sounds like he has lami rather than is on the verge of it. I’d pull him off grass (hard standing area would be really useful) and have him on soaked hay.

He needs starving and also his feet put in buckets of ice cold water - with ice and water - several times a day - if not treated properly he will die

Thank you. He's in now, but the question is if he should be exercised? I feel he should not but owner (who has a lifetime of experience, at 80) says it will help, on grass.

Oh I've never heard of the ice cold water treatment.

Er no. He needs the vet. He will be in extreme pain even if he isn't showing it.

If she's let him get to this stage then I wouldn't take her advice on anything personally!

Please don’t ride him he must be very sore . He needs a vet x rays and probably pain relief . Back in the day when we had our first run in with laminitis the advice was keep in , soak hay and walk regularly in hand , even then and I’m talking 40 yrs ago you didn’t ride them .

I think walking in hand would be helpful in an attempt to get some weight off. But he needs to see the vet to check and formulate a plan going forwards.

Thank you, I agree but just wanted to double check.

It's a difficult situation for you. Personally I'd say you're uncomfortable riding him and don't want to take the risk without vet's guidance on weight loss and exercise plan. Is he insured? You could say you'd be worried insurers might not pay out if vet isn't involved. Sadly those of older generations in the horse world are often not up to date with current best practice, as much as they might love their animals. Does anyone else ride him?

He needs restricted grazing, soaked hay and a low sugar diet. Immediately. Especially as we're in the middle of the autumn flush, with colder nights to come.

Farrier probably worded it too nicely. ponies either have Laminitis, or they don't.

I used to work at a Lami clinic, it's scary some of the things you heard from owners being told things by professionals.

No exercise at this point, movement is the worst thing for a pony in an episode. So i echo others, needs vet to do all the normal checks and xrays

He needs movement restricting to avoid further tearing of the laminae, you risk foundering a horse by exercising it.
He needs stabling on a deep shavings bed and fed 1.5% of his ideal bodyweight in soaked hay.
Once he has no raised digital pulses, heat or lameness he can be gently walked in hand and gradually built up.
The Blue Cross has a good guide on laminitis.