Horse missing half its hoof.

[DoubleCFarrierService]

Got called out to take a look at this horse and see what could be done for it. Went over and took these pictures. I am planning on putting on an eggbar shoe, and maybe a band or clips to help hold it on. I am thinking a band because alot of sensitive tissue exposed, burning clips in may be a problem. Was wondering though if a heartbar or even a z bar shoe might be better. Any thoughts? Also may add a hospital plate. For today I cleaned the foot up and wrapped it up to keep the sensitive tissue from getting damaged, Have to make a shoe tonight, the guy has no power, so wasn't able to do it today plus want him to bute the horse before to dull the pain. He didn't have any on hand. Also trying to decide if I should just put the shoe on or if I should use vettech or something to rebuild. I figured for now put the shoe on and wrap the area to keep clean then when it dries up maybe try and rebuild. Any suggestions appreciated. Never done this to this extreme.

http://www.horseshoes.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=179&pictureid=1377
http://www.horseshoes.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=179&pictureid=1378
http://www.horseshoes.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=179&pictureid=1379
http://www.horseshoes.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=179&pictureid=1380

[westtxshoer]

I can't see what a heart bar is going to do. Man, that's a mess!

I am thinking that maybe what I would do, don't take it with much salt, would be to make a wedge out of styrofoam such as that from EDSS and tape it to the hoof for about a week to relax the tendons and joints.

[Juhani Takanen]

i would use heart bar, because you want to have shoe under that missing heel for support. i would also heavily roll the toe.if coronary band is ok, then i would think it´ll be just fine. i´d stay away from bands and z-bar with this one, caus it´s lateral side and you don´t need to be afraid of the horse stepping it off wit it´s other foot..

[Juhani Takanen]

I can't see what a heart bar is going to do.

are you sure?:rolleyes:

[Jim Sweeney]

James, any vet hospitals nearby? I worry about infection with the size of his fetlock. I would refer that one out and go watch the resident farrier shoe it so you can do the follow up. I think you could get something on it but it really looks like it needs a surgical quality cleanup. Looking forward to the pics either way. Good luck.

[Red Amor]

I have seen two of these
the first was a draught percheron
It was debrided and lightly wraped till the first dressing fell of and the hoof came up trumps
I couldn't believe it
the second was a horse owned by a natural horse person and hoof trimmer
they called me to put a bar shoe on a hoof cut clean through on shed cladding
the took their bandage off I fitted the shoe and then they wrapped the still bleeding hoof
I went once to refit the shoe and was happy to see things looking good
I never saw the horse again but ive been assured That all is well
Id like to see so yeah

[westtxshoer]

are you sure?:rolleyes:
As the hoof is now, a considerable amount of synthetic material would be needed in order to apply the heartbar shoe or any shoe. I would be worried about infections for the time being. I also think the horse needs to get off his toe before any shoeing package can be applied.

[Gary Hill]

I think a heartbar would help, I would stay away from any products for cushion until the wounds are dry.

[peter026]

In the mid 70,s we had a TB who had a similar injury. Vet cleaned it up and we put a G shoe on plus a dressing on the injured part.
Horse went on to race and win.

[Rick Talbert]

That hoof is gonna do what its gonna do. I'd be more worried about getting a heartbar on the supporting limb.

[westtxshoer]

That hoof is gonna do what its gonna do. I'd be more worried about getting a heartbar on the supporting limb.

That makes sense to me.

Gary, the main thing I see is what looks to me like a swollen fetlock that is either infection or inflamation. And I don't see much of an intact frog either. I figure the horse would be hard as heck to put any type of shoe on as is and needs some relief before a shoe could be applied. Please tell me why I am wrong. I am not making suggestions, I am simply posting what I would do.

[Gabino]

James,I speak English than the indian people, but I will try to explain.

I don't think that heartbar could be good.The central bar could push the frog against the injuried tissue and it makes pain. I prefere the eggbar with hard pad and dentist silicon support.

For the injuried tissue, have very clean and wrap with baby's nappy and much sugardine. The sugardine cleans and makes hard the surface injuried.

I make one case similar with good results.

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4756/elcapri5.jpg (http://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=elcapri5.jpg)

[Gary Hill]

A G barshoe is supposed to support the frog , so what is the differance than using a full heartbar? There will be alot of spaceing because the lack of "filler". I do agree the good foot should be supported well also. Main thing to me is support so the horse can and will walk around for circulation and not just be stall bound, which is nothing more that a death sentence to me? Keeping it clean and making sure the attending Vet keeps healing under control. Sometimes proud flesh runs amuck in these cases.

[DoubleCFarrierService]

Thanks everyone for the replies. The horse is actually not really standing on its toe too much, just angled the foot to get a better picture. It is actually moving suprisingly good for having that much trama. That is the reason I am debating a heartbar vs. eggbar is because there is so much sensitive tissue exposed underneath, I think a heartbar may put pressure on that and cause pain. Also there is not much frog, half of is was ripped off along with everything else. I am for sure going to have to punch extra nail holes to get the shoe to stay on. Unfortunatley the closest vet hospital is 3-4 hours away at minimum, I wish there where one closer. There doesn't appear to be infection as of yet, the pictures make the fetlock apear more swollen than it is. I cleaned the wound with a mix of epson salt to get the dirt off of it, then bandaged it with iodine soaked gauze for today. Unfourtunatley the are he has to work is less than ideal. I am going to try and support the other foot if I can get him to stand on the injured one long enough. I have instructed him to get the vet asap and hopefully I will be able to work witht the vet on this one. I am confident watching the horse move so long as infection is kept down and the coronary band isn't permanatley damaged we can get the horse going again, I just hope the owner follows the instructions given. Thanks again for all the help any input is appreciated.

[dave murray]

i agree with horseshoe1, if you don't feel confident working on it get the vet involved. as the others have said that ankle dosen't look to good . my be more going on then meets the eye. don't put it all on your shoulders.

[DoubleCFarrierService]

Ok, update on this horse. The owner aparently has decided against following my advise, and has not gotten me nor a vet out to take care of this horse. I am tempted to put in a call to the spca but I don't know that it would do much good. I wouldn't care so long as he at least got a vet out, but he told me he thinks just washing it with water twice a day will help and heal it all up. Kind of frustrating.

[bumfoot SHOER]

Ok, update on this horse. The owner aparently has decided against following my advise, and has not gotten me nor a vet out to take care of this horse. I am tempted to put in a call to the spca but I don't know that it would do much good. I wouldn't care so long as he at least got a vet out, but he told me he thinks just washing it with water twice a day will help and heal it all up. Kind of frustrating.

james do what you think is the right thing to do copy the posts from here and let the op read them and then see what he thinks . bryan e p.s most times it will not heal right with out some help.

[dave murray]

I would think just washing it with water and leaveing it would just encourage proud flesh to grow. so the owner dosn't want to spend any money on the horse by the sounds of things. if thats the case then i would talk to the local SPCA and at least make them aware of the situation. then try to keep an eye on things. i hate it when i know theres a horse in need of care and your hands are tied as to what you can do..

[Gary Hill]

It is not just washing it with water. You want to hydro the area for 10 to 15 minutes each time. I have healed alot worst but it does take everyday sometimes twice to do it. Husbandry is low in the horse owners manual nowadays.

[westtxshoer]

Tell the owner to use the "Quantum Touch." I'm sure that'll work.:p

[Mark_Gough]

Ok, update on this horse. The owner aparently has decided against following my advise, and has not gotten me nor a vet out to take care of this horse. I am tempted to put in a call to the spca but I don't know that it would do much good. I wouldn't care so long as he at least got a vet out, but he told me he thinks just washing it with water twice a day will help and heal it all up. Kind of frustrating.

James, walk away and forget it. If you call the SPCA and the owner suspects it was you, he/she will share the story of all the pain you caused with anyone and everyone in your area that will listen. Odds are, it wouldn't do the horse any good anyway. Most of the SPCA folk I've met wouldn't know a horse from a pronghorn antelope and cause more problems than they solve.

You help those you can and move on.

Best Luck,
Mark