Posted by M. W. Myers, D.V.M. on January 12, 2002 at 16:29:23:
In Reply to: Re: Foundered Mare/ No hoof growth posted by Derin Foor on January 11, 2002 at 11:05:07:
: : : : : I picked up an acct. a while back. This lady has a foundered mare that her previous farrier had shod with reverse shoes, wedge pads and equithane, then dubbed the toe straight down. I consulted with her vet prior to shoeing and he wanted heart bars with equithane. When I pulled the old shoes the mare was VERY bruised on her sole. I trimmed...actually just leveled her up and put the heart bars on and backed the toe up to match the angle of p3. I also put equithane from the tip of the frog plate back. She seemed to be doing better. Since then the shoes have been reset twice. The problem is that she doesn't grow any hoof wall. I mean none anywhere. This is the 14th week in dealing with her and I have yet to take on hoof wall. Her sole drops below the hoof wall and I don't want to take much sole do to the fact that in looking at the radiographs there isn't much to take. She bruises very easy. What do I do? The last time I reset her, I put equithane in the whole hoof do to the bruising. Would Farriers Formula help with the hoof growth? Also, she gets done every 4 weeks. If she goes any longer than that she takes a turn for the worse. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.
: : : : Tom,
: : : : this horse likely grows more heel than toe and needs to be trimmed according to radiographs...... the amount of heel removed should be replaced with some type of wedge pad or wedge shoe once the proper alignment is established.....backing up the toe will help but the entire alignment needs to be addressed
: : : : do the feet have a laminar wedge that hasn't been removed from the dorsal aspect of the hoof........I have seen where this impedes the growth of the foot or at least distorts it to some degree
: : : : supplements may help but the mechanics need to be in place to benefit from everything else you do for this horse
: : : : this is a tough time of year to get some horse to grow feet (at least where I live) but perhaps the horse's nutritional plan needs to be re-evaluated as well
: : : : hope this helps ~~~~~~ Derin
: : : Derin, Why do the heels have to be built up with wedge pads after they have been trimmed down? Also , is this horse being ridden or is this just for maintenance? Andrea
: : Derin,
: : Thanks for the advice. Her feet don't look like the typical foundered feet. She doesn't flare at the toe and her white line isn't stretched. Why do you suggest taking heel off and then increase the angle? I understand taking the heel, but are you saying to increase angle to relieve the stress from the deep flexor? Also, she really doesn't have any heel to take right now. Then again, it is winter in the midwest. The thing is, in 14 weeks I have only taken heel off once. She just isn't growing. Thanks again for the advice.
: : In response to Andrea, no she isn't ridden and hasn't been since she foundered. The owner would like to be able to ride her again, but only time will tell.
: Tom/Andrea,
: the reason for lowering the heels is to re-align the hoof capsule relative to the P3......then the entire foot often needs wedged to relieve the DDFT
: if you are able to get some lateral x-rays, you might be surprised just how much the heels can be lowered... this was one of the real "eye-openers" for me when I started shoeing foundered horses with x-rays
: good luck ~~~~~ Derin
What is this horse being fed? No amount of supplement can replace a good diet. There has to be sufficient protein intake to grow hoof wall. Have a look at the nutrition article on this site.
Shoeing with radiographs is a must for laminitic horses, especially those that are being problematical.
M. W. Myers, D.V.M.