Unusual Hoof Development

Question
Hello,

I have an older mare (16) that I have had the majority of her life and competed through 4th level dressage.  She has stayed incredibly sound for me, with no problems, other than the occasional day off as any horse would have.  Her feet grow fairly quickly, and she must be maintained every 4 weeks year round in order to maintain shoes on her (as she is a large mover, but a very small horse barely 15 hands) and she has the tendency to pull them off any longer than that.  About two years ago, I had to leave her in the care of a friend who I trusted to maintain her for me while recouperating from a severe car wreck.  She was pregnant with her first foal at the time I got her back (she was bred prior to the accident) and had been seen regularly by a veterinarian.  However, towards the end of the pregnancy, her front feet became VERY VERY sore, to the point she did not want to walk (this was approximately the last two weeks).  She showed no signs of laminitis other than the sore front feet and reluctance to walk.  After delivery of the foal, she returned to normal and was running about comfortably and I have had no further problems with her since.  Recently though, I changed farriers, and I was asked if she had ever had laminitis.  I stated not to my knowledge (radiographs were done- nothing more than normal age related changes-and DMSO was NOT administered during pregnancy as there was no heat and she was normal weight, not excessively large).  However, she has started to grow excessive sole in her hoof and he stated that it could be a sign of previous laminitis.  What I am curious is could she have had a very minor bout with it and post foaling it resolved?  She was barefoot during the last pregnancy and has been since with no problem.  Or is this simply a benign thing as it has resolved completely and could it lead to future problems?  I am interested in breeding her again, as I got a fantastic foal from her, however I am hesitant to if it will make her as uncomfortable during the last two weeks as it did last time.  Any knowledge or advice you could give me would be appreciated as this mare is quite valuable and special to me.  Thank you.  

Answer
Thank you Amanda, for your question. My answer will be based largely on assumption, even though you are very detailed in your description. I am going to assume that your mare is TB or TB cross based on the frequency of shoeing. But, most importantly the loss of shoes in a realitively short period after the normal 4 weeks. This indicates to a Farrier that a horse has a thin hoof wall. If she is in fact either full or part TB the probibility for thin soles is prevalent. This would explain the sore feet pre-foaling, i.e. additional weight, foaling stress!
It is not uncommon for maiden mares to stress-out to the point of becoming laminitic. The fact that she corrected herself post foaling would indicate this is the case. As for accelerated sole growth, yes, it is indicative of past laminitis. This DOES NOT in any way mean that P3 has rotated. Only that she had inflamed lamina. Huge difference. As for re-breeding, I certainly would. If my assumptions are correct, you will find that the second foaling experience will go more smoothly than the first. She has "been there, done that" thus greatly reducing her stress factor and therefore minimizing the potential reoccurance of laminitis. Hope this is of some help.
Mark