Posted by Roger Duron on February 02, 2001 at 03:59:44:
In Reply to: Re: Re WLD posted by James R. Rooney on January 16, 2001 at 09:43:34:
: : I shoe or trim horses living in 10,000 acre paddocks down to horses living in stables.I notice by my records wld on the increase,i also notice the habitually shod horses are more prone to infection and reinfection. Just trying to get a handle on this disease as the more i read and see the more frustrating it gets because i cannot find a common denominator.Pythagoras taught us that the only real truth is in mathematics,wish he could come back and sort this equation out for me. Any suggestions,comments,ideas or ridicules welcomed
: I may set off an uproar, but I think the following is the basis for WLD. I hope to write this up more clearly but here goes for now. WLD is a manifestation of road founder, a condition well-known years ago and largely forgotten today. In effect it is tearing of the laminae near the distal border of the coffin bone in the area of the toe. If severe enough the clinical signs are those of classical founder. If not so severe the damage is apparent to the farrier when he/she sees bloody spots in the white line when trimming the foot. These bloody spots are, indeed, hemorrhages migrating distally from the site of the small laminar tearing.
: This tearing occurs because of resistance of the long-toed hoof to breaking over at the end of support. It was a common problem in heavy carriage horses with the toes kept long for "flashiness." It occurs today in horses with too long toes and also more in shod than barefoot horses beacause the toe, in fact, does become "too long" in between shoeings. That is, the hoof continues to grow and the toe is not worn off because it is protected by the shoe. You all know how thin the toe of a shoe gets when the shoeing interval is too long. The longer the interval between shoeings the greater the chance of laminar tearing because of the lever action of the increasingly long toe.
: What does one do about that? I shall stop at this point and wait for responses. I know what "I" would do. Please tell me what you would do. James Rooney
James,
You may well set off an uproar, however I agree with you. I too have found laminitis to be the root cause of wld. While almost everyone has seen wld along with founder not many seem to recognize founder until it is really cookin'. Those red spots in the white-line are indeed very early signs of laminitis in the making. The conditions causing this hemmoraging, whether it be long toes/hoof imbalance, concussion/bruising,excessive flaring of the hoof wall/tearing of the white-line, feed induced laminitis, or any other trauma, if allowed to continue will indeed result in necrotic tissue that is easily invaded by the organisms we find in wld. In my particular area excessive intake of grass (even in winter) is a prime cause. Rich spring grass is, of course, many times more potent. Many if not most of the affected horses show absolutely no lameness in the early stages, some going on for years with mushy, split feet, seedy toe "WLD" etc. They are not recognized as laminitic until something pushes them over the edge and they have an acute attack. How many times have we seen only one horse in a stable of many affected by "WLD"? Why aren't his stable-mates affected also? Surely the organisms eating his feet have the opportunity to dine on the other horses as well? It is because something is affecting this horse that is causing him to be laminitic(perhaps not in the accepted sense), thats why. Diseased necrotic tissue is an easy target.
The cause of the laminitis/inflammation must be addressed or a case of "WLD" will be stubborn indeed. This is why "WLD" often chronic and recurrent. When this is done "WLD" simply grows out and clears up. No radical resections, harsh meds, nothing. Yes, sometimes it is helpful to open up the area and expose it to the air, speeds healing in the CURRENT infection. Again however, if the laminitis/inflammation/hemmoraging is under control you will not see a recurrence of "WLD". Have done this many times. Once you learn to recognize the early signs you just can't miss. It really is very simple. The hardest part is getting the horses owner to make the necessary changes in management to keep the laminitis in check. Few people,whether they be farriers or veterinarians or horse owners want to believe all of this, but those who pay attention get the results they desire. So what I am saying is that,in my opinion, "WLD" is more of a secondary SYMPTOM rather than a disease in and of itself. Why does "WLD" seem to be more prevalent in recent years? Could it have something to do with the high-powered feed we give our horses today? Don't know, just a thought. Rest assured,however, the organisms eating our horses feet have been here for eons.
I know I have opened myself up to a brutal public thrashing, however when I saw that James had the guts to speak up it inspired me.
You got my back James?
Roger Duron