Posted by Anne Daimler on December 02, 2003 at 08:17:13:
In Reply to: Re: navicular horses - "Masking Pain" posted by M. W. Myers, D.V.M. on November 30, 2003 at 21:12:42:
In actual fact, when correctly applied, the shoeing protocol so rapidly normalizes bloos flow and weight distribution in the hoof so far beyond what is possible with a trim alone, the healing process is greatly accelerated and the pain reduction is a real phenomenon and indicative of healing and not "masking". This "masking" statement is akin to leaving a cast off a broken limb to allow it to "heal naturally" and not mask the pain. Note how silly this really is.
Dr. Myers, you state that it is a fact that application of a shoe rapidly normalizes blood flow and weight distribution? Can you please refer me to the research that verifies that statement? It seems like "simple logic" to me that just the addition of the extra weight of a shoe to the hoof would prevent "normalization of weight distribution" and that the very act of nailing on a shoe, by restricting expansion/contraction of the hoof, restricts blood flow. You might be able to make an argument that there is still some movement in the hoof, but you certainly cannot make a valid one that this movement would be "normal."
: An even more frightening concept is the one in which the "horse will get worse before it gets better". What happens in reality is that the load distribution is now incorrect for the situation and the pain is telling the horse to limit his movement while nature attempts to repair the damage that has been done. Pain is part of injury, not part of healing. Simple logic.
: M. W. Myers, D.V.M.
Of course pain is part of the injury -- it is the main symptom that there is damage in the hoof. And, as you pointed out, it is the message to the horse which will prevent it from using itself in a way which will further the damage. With all respect, Dr. Myers, do you truly believe that when a shoe is applied to a horse who is in pain and the pain now disappears that the shoe has corrected the problem? If you were to remove that shoe immediately and the pain returned would you believe that the lack of a shoe is what is causing the pain? Do you believe that healing can take place with reduced circulation? Do you believe that neural function is independent of adequate circulation?
It is my belief that the only way to heal lameness is to remove the cause and support the horse (the whole horse) as naturally as possible through the process of healing the damage.
Anne Daimler
SHP 2002
DeLand, FL