Re: What Can We Do?

Posted by John on July 20, 2001 at 09:44:34:

In Reply to: Re: What Can We Do? posted by Ray Miller on July 08, 2001 at 19:59:33:

: : : Just came across a case of chronic laminitis a new farrier attempted to shoe Friday. He applied a steel Natural Balance shoe out to nearly the end of the laminitic hoof. Radiographs showed he had the breakover 1 1/2 inches ahead of where it should be. How can we get the word out that one day owners are going to start sueing farriers that do this? Why didn't he insist the owner call a veterinarian before attempting to shoe this horse? If she "squeaked" about money he could ask what veterinarian she uses and then at least call that office and report what was being requested and he was not in agreement to shoe the horse without xrays, but the owner is declining. At least it would be officially recorded and the veterinarian would have a very high opinion of this farrier. Minimally, he should insist that the owner sign a statement that she is decling proper care to get him off the hook. This owner either does not remember or was not informed of the problems this horse was facing. I am going in on Wednesday to charge her $300 to shoe this horse. He is not real difficult, but will need some correction. She is very upset with the farrier, but I have convinced her to call him in for the shoeing so he can learn how to do this and then he can reset the shoes.

: : : M. W. Myers, D.V.M.

: : Sadly, it is this type of mis-application of a good product(that githen gives the pr0duct as wel las the farier a bad reputation.
: : If the farrier had a clue about treating laminitis, he would not have used a steel Natural Balance shoe on that foot to begin with. That particular shoe is not designed to treat laminitis.
: : If a farrier is going to use natural balance principles as his basis in treating laminitis, The EDSS system is what he should have gone with. The natural Balance shoes can not without added special components supply the necessary therapeutic support. Also,if he had at least seen the EDSS instruction video he would have known at least how to properly identify the location of the coffin bone via hoof testers and correctly prepare the foot and fit the shoe.
: : The owner should indeed be furious with the farrier, but I certainly hope she does not hold a 'grudge' against the product..it was the wrong product for that particular application and was mis-applied.
: : The farrier obviously did not have enough knowledge about treating laminitis to be trying to shoe a horse in that condition. If he did have enough knowledge he would not have shod the horse in that manner or with that shoe alone.
: : Even if shoeing a sound horse, applying the NBS shoe that far forward would have been incorrect. There are basic instructions that come with the shoes that show the correct placement... but you have to read them.
: : Feel free to show this post to the owner.
: : Patty

:
: I have to agree with both Dr. Myers and Ms. Patty.

: The question what can we do. Education is the only answer but for some farriers, horse shoers, iron hangers and etc. that never comes. For some owners it also never comes untill it hits their pocket book or the horse is put down.

: Ray Miller

Thanks Doc for the advise. Just resently I was call to trim three horses. Two out of three were founder and the two were at least 300lbs over weight. In my advice to the owners of the verious types of shoeing that can apply I informed them that I would not do anything without a vet and xray. Shoe in the dark can either make you a hero or a bum! They looked at me as though I was speaking in a foreign language and bad mouth the last three farriers that were there, it looks as though I will be on the list,Opps.My error as I see now, I was not prepared for a release form and notifiying my referral(vets office).

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: : : : Just came across a case of chronic laminitis a new farrier attempted to shoe Friday. He applied a steel Natural Balance shoe out to nearly the end of the laminitic hoof. Radiographs showed he had the breakover 1 1/2 inches ahead of where it should be. How can we get the word out that one day owners are going to start sueing farriers that do this? Why didn't he insist the owner call a veterinarian before attempting to shoe this horse? If she "squeaked" about money he could ask what veterinarian she uses and then at least call that office and report what was being requested and he was not in agreement to shoe the horse without xrays, but the owner is declining. At least it would be officially recorded and the veterinarian would have a very high opinion of this farrier. Minimally, he should insist that the owner sign a statement that she is decling proper care to get him off the hook. This owner either does not remember or was not informed of the problems this horse was facing. I am going in on Wednesday to charge her $300 to shoe this horse. He is not real difficult, but will need some correction. She is very upset with the farrier, but I have convinced her to call him in for the shoeing so he can learn how to do this and then he can reset the shoes. : : : : M. W. Myers, D.V.M. : : : Sadly, it is this type of mis-application of a good product(that githen gives the pr0duct as wel las the farier a bad reputation. : : : If the farrier had a clue about treating laminitis, he would not have used a steel Natural Balance shoe on that foot to begin with. That particular shoe is not designed to treat laminitis. : : : If a farrier is going to use natural balance principles as his basis in treating laminitis, The EDSS system is what he should have gone with. The natural Balance shoes can not without added special components supply the necessary therapeutic support. Also,if he had at least seen the EDSS instruction video he would have known at least how to properly identify the location of the coffin bone via hoof testers and correctly prepare the foot and fit the shoe. : : : The owner should indeed be furious with the farrier, but I certainly hope she does not hold a 'grudge' against the product..it was the wrong product for that particular application and was mis-applied. : : : The farrier obviously did not have enough knowledge about treating laminitis to be trying to shoe a horse in that condition. If he did have enough knowledge he would not have shod the horse in that manner or with that shoe alone. : : : Even if shoeing a sound horse, applying the NBS shoe that far forward would have been incorrect. There are basic instructions that come with the shoes that show the correct placement... but you have to read them. : : : Feel free to show this post to the owner. : : : Patty : : : : I have to agree with both Dr. Myers and Ms. Patty. : : The question what can we do. Education is the only answer but for some farriers, horse shoers, iron hangers and etc. that never comes. For some owners it also never comes untill it hits their pocket book or the horse is put down. : : Ray Miller : Thanks Doc for the advise. Just resently I was call to trim three horses. Two out of three were founder and the two were at least 300lbs over weight. In my advice to the owners of the verious types of shoeing that can apply I informed them that I would not do anything without a vet and xray. Shoe in the dark can either make you a hero or a bum! They looked at me as though I was speaking in a foreign language and bad mouth the last three farriers that were there, it looks as though I will be on the list,Opps.My error as I see now, I was not prepared for a release form and notifiying my referral(vets office).

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