Re: navicular horses -

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: : : : 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. : As always I must thank Patty for rising to my defensive and trying to point someone in the correct direction. Since "Strasserites" tend to go through life with blinders only repated attempts to have them pull these blinders back can have a chance of enlightenment so I will make an attempt as well. : : Dr. Myers, you state that it is a fact that application of a shoe rapidly normalizes blood flow and weight distribution? : I do wish I had the precise research that verifies this, but I can assure you that when a full rockered shoe increases the sole growth of a horse to the point that the sole doubles in thickness inside of 5 weeks I do believe that there must be an increase in circulation for this to occur. You must understand that this is occurring in horses that would be unable to move with a Strasser trim and would have to hobble around for months to see if their soles would eventually grow. : 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. : Properly applied, shoes do not restrict the bulk of expansion and contraction which occurs at the heel. Nails are not applied here except in special circumstances. The additon of a few ounces onto the limb of a 1200 lb animal goes generally unnoticed by that animal. You can easily normalize weight distribution for a horse with severe hoof imbalances with a shoe that is absolutely impossible to accomplish barefoot. Blood flow through the hoof is not dependent upon expansion and contraction of the toe, but at the heel and this flow is impeded more by improper angles and inner load forces than by hoof movement. : 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." : Per my above statements, the hoof does not rely on wall movement for blood flow. This is a very old concept. If the hoof had to constantly expand and contract for blood flow to occur, horses would be in grave jeopardy every time they chose to lie down to sleep. : : : : : 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? : The shoe is akin to a prosthesis which alters the present condition as optimally as mechanicall possible allowing healing to occur more rapidly. The chosen shoe may not need to remain on the horse for very long (depending on the problem) and some horse return to barefoot existence. : Additionally, in these modern times it has been discovered that pain itself carries pathology with it and removing pain can, in fact, improve the healing environment. : 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? : No more than removing a cast from a broken leg has anymore to do with this situation than the shoe. : Do you believe that healing can take place with reduced circulation? : As I stated earlier, shoes can enhance circulation and are unlikely to significantly impede it. : Do you believe that neural function is independent of adequate circulation? : You are using rather gray terms by referring to "adequate". You could be pretty good in front of a jury of non horsemen, but that won't fly too well here. Neural function does require blood flow, but there is no real evidence to support that correct shoeiing is detrimental to either. : : 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