Posted by Phil Armitage on February 29, 2004 at 20:00:03:
In Reply to: Re: Barefoot & WLD posted by Patty Stiller on February 27, 2004 at 23:16:25:
: : My horse was diagnosed by my farrier with WLD in all feet last summer and underwent treatment which seemed to clear it. I have kept applying a solution made up by my vets daily since but when my farrier came this week, it was evident that WLD is returning in his hind feet. My farrier shod him as normal but cut away as much bad hoof as he could and has suggested the possibility of leaving him with no shoes on next time. However, due to my horse having had a long period of time off work due to the severity of WLD last year (previous farriers had dismissed his feet as having a problem! I finally found a farrier who wanted to help my horse!), I am eager to be able to compete him in hunter classes this year so would be glad for any thoughts on what would be best - with or without shoes?
: : Thankyou :)
: First, I have to ask, is this horse stalled most of the time? I ask because I have never seen a case of whiteline begin in a horse who was living in pasture....always the cases I have seen were stalled, and bedded in shavings.
: So if he is inside, I suggest move him outside. Full time.
: As for shoes, if you can leave him barefoot I sure would. If you have to shoe him for traction or protection, the entire area that is infected should be resected so it can be treated effevctively. And do not patch over it. A large resection may mean the foot needs extra support to the remaining wall and bone column, such as a frog support pad or a heart bar shoe and clips in the areas of wall that are left intact. If you do not adequately support it, and do a big resection, the foot may spread and flatten from the weakening of the hoofwall.
: I would give the whiteline problem first priority , this means you may have to forego shows till the resected wall grows back in because it is inappropriate to patch over it. Covering up the resected area may allow reinfection if there is speck of the fungus left alive under the patch. Patty
I recommend trying White Lightning, it has been know to kill all the fungus and bacteria without removing alot of hoof wall, extra measure that can be done if your farrier cannot remove all the infected hoof. Follow the directions on the bottle. It is a safe and effective way of killing bacteria and fungus without scaring or damaging live tissue. Farrier suppliers usually carry it. There is a phone number on the product for more information. Totaly agree with Patty on not patching or covering the hoof.
Phil