How would you handle this ?

[Red Amor]

Off side hind of a warm blood mare that it it thought to have damaged the hoof in fence or submerged tin
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/redamor/Image208.jpg
Vet had to cut away flap of hoof , the horse was sidated to stand and was nerve blocked
Note good that coronet was not halmed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/redamor/Image211.jpg

Damage followed the line of the bar and there is still a good amount of heel to help support

action so far as provided by Vet was to cut away the damage and dry wrap the wound in cotton wool and elastoplast
this was left on for 5 days and them removed since them nought but hoseing has been done
the horse according to the owner is slowly improving in soreness

Im wondering wheather to eventually shoe in bar shoe /and maybe hospital plate maybe sugardine , and wrap the side or just leave it as said the Vet
the horse does nothing but eat grass no work is expected of it at all
this horse is dificult to work on as is but would need to be sidated to apply a shoe

Cost is a factor here , but I would like to help , Ive been broke before to

Id appreaciate your oppinions thaks guys
reguards The Red fella :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/redamor/Image214.jpg

[Ronald Aalders]

Hi Red,

Looks like you got a job set out for you!

I worked on something like that before. It sometimes happens with big time stoppers that forgot to stop straight.

I like to keep wounds like that open as much as possible. A foot just seems to heal faster that way. So what I do is use a heartbar to support the the frog and keep pressure off the affected area.

I added some pics that should give you an idea.

Have fun Red!


Ronald Aalders

[Red Amor]

G,Day Ron
Mate thats realy tidy work old son
If the old girl will give me a go I,ll give it a go
thankyou for taking the time to help :)
Ill keep you posted

[Wannabeee]

Nice work Ron, let us know how yours goes Red.

[tbloomer]

In Ron's example there was no heel at all. So the heartbar (nice job!) was a good idea because it will support the weight of the horse while the heel grows.

In Red's example the hoof still has a heel butress and bar for support. Applying the heart bar would probably make the horse more comfortable, but that could work against you. 'nuther words, if it hurts a little the horse will be inclined to take it slow and easy, which is a good thing. Without a shoe the hoof will very likely grow out just fine. Also there is nothing to trap dirt and manure against the wound.

If you put a heart bar shoe on, you will have to trust that the owner will pick out the dirt from around the shoe - every day. Along with the shoe comes a higher owner maintenance requirement. If you leave the horse barefoot, you don't have to worry about whether the owner is tending to the hoof.

Tom Bloomer

[Red Amor]

Gday Guys

Thanks a heap for your advice it is very much appreaciated

Heart bar is my choise if needed I also wondered about a hospital plate and packing to keep out the grubs

the owner cannot help with anything but very basic mantainance , a good lady but the horse is sore and would need sedation , just getting the first bandage off was risky

Vet has said just leave it and hose daily thinking along the same lines as bloomer and so this is what we will do
Im just thinking ahead as to what may be need to gain best result in the end
I,ll keep you all in the picture yeah
thanks again :)
regards the redfella

[tbloomer]

Gday Guys

Thanks a heap for your advice it is very much appreaciated

Heart bar is my choise if needed I also wondered about a hospital plate and packing to keep out the grubs

the owner cannot help with anything but very basic mantainance , a good lady but the horse is sore and would need sedation , just getting the first bandage off was risky

Vet has said just leave it and hose daily thinking along the same lines as bloomer and so this is what we will do
Im just thinking ahead as to what may be need to gain best result in the end
I,ll keep you all in the picture yeah
thanks again :)
regards the redfella

You got a vet thinking along the same lines as me? OH NOooo!!! Now my left brain is fighting with my right brain . . . I take it back. QUICK, put a heart bar on that hoof before my head explodes!

Forget what I said about leaving that hoof alone. You are the farrier. You have the knowledge and skill to put a shoe on that horse and INSTANTLY make that horse servacibly sound.

All the vet can do is give the horse pain killers. YOU HAVE THE POWER OF FIRE AND STEEL! Be the hero Red! What the heck, send ME the bill. I'll pay you to shoe that horse. Wish I could be there to help.

Cheers,
Tom Bloomer, CF