Testing Our Knowledge

[2R Farrier Services]

I recently had a client ask if we would look at a horse at another facility where they board turned-out horse. A three yo TB filly with “something not right”. It is my understanding, and personally witnessed, she is quite a handful and has not had all the ultimate care for her best interest. I was informed that she had been looked at “some time ago” by a local equine vet, and if memory serves me correctly, the client was informed a trim to balance feet up was all the was necessary, the heels getting a bit tall on the abnormal limb. I do not know all the cir***stances that lead up to this abnormality and the client’s are seeking veterinary intervention at this time.

It seems many times we as farrier’s are called out before the doctor. I am not sure about everyone else, but I continually work at testing my knowledge, or lack there-of, when unsoundness is presented to me by a client prior to veterinary input. As simple as an imbalance which can be visualized and corrected externally or as difficult as a multi-legged lame situation where the problem is internal?

Many times our visual input or a simple run with hoof testers will tell the story and we can make the call to correct the underlying issue. With a need for further veterinary diagnostics or input, I find myself testing my education (with a bit of common & horse sense) and internally speculate what the problem is until it is clinically known. This probably stems from an overly analytical mind, which in anything wants to correct the underlying cause and trying to stay sharp.

I have attached some pictures I took. I do not recall there being much height difference through the knees as I was more concerned with getting a few pics to post and coming out in one piece. I am sure a good doctor with a Torb cocktail will help immensely – it may be interesting getting a needle in this one from what I saw.

RF and hinds appear to be well balanced considering no idea when last trimmed. She does turn out about same degree in both front knees. LF hoof has stumpy appearance, turns out again at fetlock. LF pastern drops to about parallel to ground in motion.

There is a definite flexoral deformity and I am not familiar with, but could this possibly be a stage of ESLD, ESAD or DSLD? Again, if memory is correct I understand DSLD is a bilateral condition.

In search of our continuing education, do others out there act as I do when it comes to issues as these? Opening this up for discussion...;o)

[2R Farrier Services]

Additional Photos

[Phil Armitage]

This is neglect. Over grown club foot, bottom of foot looks like a bacteria haven. Probably has deep infections that may have destroyed major internal structures. I wouldnt trim this horse without X-Rays. Extensor Tendon attachment to P3 is probably damaged or fractured.

[Ronald Aalders]

Hi Dale,


This is a clubfoot somewhere in the grade 2 range I'ld say. You definitely need X-rays to be able to derotate P3 properly and find a way to reduce DDFT pull. To me this looks like a case you'll need a stack of wedges on after you derotated the foot and then slowly wean the leg off of them wedges. Usually on feet like this you'll find that the navicular bone has not develloped well. On the X-rays no nice solid line will be visible at the tendon side, proving the bone has not adapted to the work expected from it. Derotating and leaving it at that will put to much strain on the navicular bone whithout it having a chance to adapt to that new situation likely starting all kinds of chronic palmar heel pain related problems for the future. Also remember the the impar ligament may well be very short! So don't derotate and put the club down and work on the other! Don't walk the horse either to see how it does after derotation! Derotate, wedge it up and wean it very slowly.

Another reason for the X-rays to maybe find a reason fot this club. Maybe Phil is right on the extensor attachment being ruptured or broken off. I did notice that the foot seems to be toeing out. This kind of foot you'll find in WP and Hunt seat horses more than once (TB breeding?). When the horse lands and loads the foot the medial heel drops in the soft arena footing, twisting the toe further to the outside. Breakover is a problem because the joints are not aligned. On a lot of those horse you'll notice a swelling on the medial side of the pastern proving the medial collateral sesmodian ligament and perhaps the extensor of the suspensory tendon too have taken more than they can handle. You'll have to address this problem as well!

For one this means that my shoe of choice for cases like this, the banana, will not work here. Not in my experience that is. You definitely need more support for the medial heel. I'ld be thinking of a (flying saucer/colleoni) shoe like the one posted in the "DDFT, tenotomy and rupture" thread.


Ronald Aalders

[2R Farrier Services]

Thanks Phil and Ron,

As expressed, I will not touch this filly without vet intervention and radiographs!

In the past, when this type of stumpy (club) foot has been experienced, I have seen nothing but somewhat normal to very upright pasterns. A few required tenotomies. I have never run across this with the broken back axis to this degree...

Thanks again!

[danverschild]

This is a foot that's hard to grade... A first look makes you want to put it as a strong grade 3, but as Phil points out, there's neglect that has to be factored in. When you add that to the mix and see that there's no dish, you think that maybe Ron's correct with his choice of a grade 2. In any case, I think you're wise to only work with a vet on this. My gut tells me that this is probably surgical...

[2R Farrier Services]

Thanks Danvers,

Dr. Parks from U. of Georgia was at Michigan State last weekend lecturing at an AFA/AAEP shortcourse and perused the pics. He felt Dr. Nichols from CVM/MSU may need to be involved surgically also.

I appreciate your response and wish yourself and everyone involved here a very Happy Thanksgiving!

[Jaye Perry]

Thanks Danvers,
Dr. Parks from U. of Georgia was at Michigan State last weekend lecturing at an AFA/AAEP shortcourse


Dr. Parks is not bad for a Brit, he and I disscuss things at length when our schedules coinside. Heck of a surgeon also. Hope your reading this Doc. I try to make you look good! ;)

[2R Farrier Services]

Dr. Parks is not bad for a Brit...;)

Jaye,

I will have to agree with your take on Dr. Parks...he for the life of him, considering he graduated from CVM 18 yrs ago, couldn't understand how he had been asked to do the lecture when you have the likes of Dr.'s Bowker and Clayton on staff here locally! ;o)

[Jaye Perry]

Jaye,
I will have to agree with your take on Dr. Parks...he for the life of him, considering he graduated from CVM 18 yrs ago, couldn't understand how he had been asked to do the lecture when you have the likes of Dr.'s Bowker and Clayton on staff here locally! ;o)

Yeah he's a good Bloke! He ,imho, has been in the upper class of the academic group for a long time. He gave a seminar to the Georgia Professional Farrier's group a few months back; good stuff.
The only thing I was disappointed about is that he left out the pictures of the Zebra, he and I worked on at the Atlanta Zoo. That was interesting day!! :D