Posted by thomas on February 16, 2002 at 14:32:32:
In Reply to: Re: vet vs. fellow farrier posted by Rick Burten on May 05, 2001 at 20:10:37:
: : : : : : Today i trimmed the local vet's horses and 1 of them has foundered in the past. I have only been shoeing for a year and a half and know a foundered horse is out of my league and called a guy I have been whorkin with for 8 months or so now. He's been shoeing horses for about 20 years. The vet wants me to cut all the heel I can off the horse. He says it will return the coffin bone to its natural position. But the other farrier said to take all the toe I could. He says that if you take all the heel it the deep flexor tendon will pull harder on the coffin bone and cause more rotation. so my question is which one is right? I thought that you took all toe but I want to 100% sure before I do anything to the horse.
: : : : : The first thing I do if I can get the oweners to do it is radiograph the hooves and then trim to the radiograph. Remove to to ease breakover.
: : : : : If doing in the dark, like I have the last three days on six head. Because the owners will not spring the funds for the radiographs. I reduce the heel to a normal heel and trim the toe down and roll.
: : : : : Ray Miller
: : : : Ray the horse owner is the vet.
: :
: : : I would go with the vet on this horse. If the horse needs to be raised up, you do that with the shoe, not the foot. The heels should be trimed back.
: : : Just my opinion
: : : Allen
: : P.S. it is my opinion that anytime the vet is telling you to do work on a horse, and you do not agree. Then just do not take the job. If you do not do it his way you will not be back to work for him nor will he send you any customers your way. If it does not work then you followed his request and it is on him. If you do not listen to him and do it the way you want, and something happens them it is on you. If you can not agree, then dont do it. But in this case I would go his way anyway.
: : Just some thoughts
: : Allen
: I'd ask the vet to radiograph the feet, then, on the radiograph, have him draw lines showing exactly how and where he wants the trim done. Absent that, get his Rx in writing. generically, I'm with the vet here(sort of). You really don't want to remove any toe and sole from the area of the apex of the frog forward. From that point back, you must determine the live sole plane and trim to it. Once you have accomplished this, you can rocker the toe from the ground surface to establish correct breakover. Although the foot will look greatly out of whack, internally, it wont't be. You might want to check out the www.hopeforsoundness.com site for more and advanced information and techniques. I truely congratulate you on your knowing your limitations and seeking advise. this bodes well for your future!. Good luck and keep us posted.
: Rick