Toe Walker

[Atlanta Blues]

I've been working on a 14 yr.old gelding who has chronic founder.....when I first saw him he had about 5 inches of heel and as much toe if not more.....vet wanted to cut heels down to nothing, and also cut the DDFT. did not recommend this.....I suggested that we gradually cut the heel back to a proper angle and wedge him.........this horse walks on his toes and knuckles over at the fetlock.....he has a hard time standing on one foot, so he is a problem to shoe......when and if we do get a shoe on him.....what is best......should I use a wedged egg bar .....should I put a toe extension on him.....help me guys....this one I'm having trouble with.......I've seen what cutting the tendon does......been there done that.....it's a total failure if you ask me

[Jaye Perry]

How do the x-rays look, hopefully not like this.

Before people get bent out of shape, I adhered the Equiflex shoe on way before the x-ray were taken.

[mwmyersdvm]

First, determine what is causing the laminitis and correct this. If he is "chronically foundered" something is keeping it active. Wedging him up can help and I have had good response to intravenous DMSO on these cases, but it may ecome cost prohibitive. Many of these horses are decalcifying their lower limbs and addressing this may need to be done. I am workin gon this problem, but do not currently have a solution.
The owner will need to stall rest this horse. Moving around on unstable laminae will not work - been there, done that, got the Tshirt.
I have had success with tenotomies, but doing them late in the game as a last resort is not productive.
This horse needs a metabolic workup and a venogram for more complete diagnostics.

M. W. Myers, D.V.M.

[Ronald Aalders]

Hi Jaye and Dr. Meyers,


I was wondering about the derotarion from the first time I saw the picture. Wouldn't that be the first thing to do, before attempting wedging or other measures? Or is there something I missed here?


Ronald Aalders

[Red Amor]

Jeezuz aint that a bewdy

Im in the same mind frame as yourself Ron but help me if ya can please